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Russia fields 'Mara' balloon-launched strike drone with 1,000 km range at ~$6,000

Published 13 October 2026

A Ukrainian OSINT channel reports that Russian forces have introduced a new balloon-launched drone called ‘Mara’, released from a carrier balloon designated ‘Balun’ that ascends beyond 10 km altitude. The system is claimed to have a strike radius of up to 1,000 km at a unit cost of approximately $6,000. Developers state the system has already been used against targets in Crimea and in Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia region, with serial production reportedly planned for mid-October 2026. The high release altitude complicates interception during the ascent phase.

Pictures from the cited posts

photo Victory Drones

Sources — 1 post

Victory Drones friendly12 Oct 2026 Open the post

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