Ukraine’s Big Boom Boom: Missiles, Drones, and a Whole Lotta “Take That!”

7 min readJan 4, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and all you couch potatoes out there, let’s talk about Ukraine’s latest hobby: building stuff that goes BOOM. Forget knitting or scrapbooking — Ukraine’s into cruise missiles and drones, baby! And they’re not just dabbling; they’re flipping the script on modern warfare. So, sit back, relax, and let’s break it down for you.

Trembita Cruise Missile: A Poor Man’s Buzz Bomb

1. Propulsion and Cheap Thrills

Ah, the Trembita. It’s powered by a pulsejet engine, a contraption so simple you could practically build it in your garage (but don’t try this at home, kids). This isn’t your NASA-level rocket science — it’s bargain-bin propulsion that works. A pulsejet engine costs around $200 — that’s less than a decent gaming console — and it gets the job done. Sure, it’s loud, inefficient, and about as elegant as a sledgehammer, but who needs elegance when you’ve got destruction on the cheap?

This isn’t some fancy reusable rocket. It’s a one-way ticket to Boomtown, and that’s exactly the point. Economical and effective — it’s the Ford Pinto of missiles.

2. Range: Long Enough to Piss Off Moscow

They’re working on stretching this bad boy’s legs to 650 kilometers. Lightweight composite materials and advanced fuel management give it that extra endurance — think of it as the marathon runner of budget missiles. Oh, and GPS navigation ensures it hits its mark with precision. Imagine a heat-seeking Google Maps for chaos. “Recalculating…target locked.”

3. Payload: Just Enough Bang

With a warhead weighing in at 20–30 kg, it’s not going to level a city, but it’ll ruin someone’s weekend. Designed for tactical strikes, it’s perfect for knocking out fuel depots, command centers, and other spots that scream, “Hit me!” And for enclosed spaces, it’s packing thermobaric warheads — fancy talk for “oxygen-sucking fireballs of doom.”

4. Swarm Tactics: Because More is More

Ukraine’s mastered the art of quantity over quality. Why send one missile when you can launch 20–30 at once? It’s the military equivalent of spamming someone’s inbox with junk mail, but instead of emails, it’s fiery death. Overwhelm enemy air defenses? Check. Create chaos? Double check.

Drones: The Swiss Army Knives of War

1. Mass Production: Like IKEA, But Deadlier

Ukraine’s cranking out drones like they’re going out of style — 1.5 million a year and counting. These aren’t just any drones; they’re modular and cheap. Imagine a Lego set where every block can ruin someone’s day. They’re using 3D printing and off-the-shelf parts to churn these out faster than your grandma can bake cookies. Efficiency? Nailed it.

2. Long-Range UAVs: Smarter Than Your Average Bear

Meet the An-196 Liutyi, a flying Terminator. These drones are kitted out with AI systems that can think for themselves. They coordinate with their buddies, share data, and hunt targets like a pack of robotic wolves. It’s Skynet without the apocalypse (for now).

3. Hybrids: The Lovechild of Drones and Missiles

These hybrid systems combine drone agility with missile firepower. Terrain-following algorithms keep them low and stealthy, and they’re fast enough to make enemy radar operators break into a cold sweat. They’re sneaky, lethal, and built to wreck your day.

Modern Warfare: Now With Wi-Fi!

1. Network-Centric Warfare: Plug and Play Destruction

Ukraine’s turning war into a high-tech LAN party. Drones, missiles, and recon systems all talk to each other in real time. The result? Coordinated strikes that make the enemy look like they’re playing checkers while Ukraine’s playing 4D chess.

2. Electronic Warfare: Can’t Jam This

Russia’s got its jammers, but Ukraine’s tech says, “Hold my beer.” With redundant navigation systems and AI-driven pathfinding, these systems laugh in the face of electronic warfare. Jamming? Spoofing? Please, try harder.

3. Strategic Deterrence: Keep Moscow Sweating

The ability to hit deep into Russian territory isn’t just about showing off. It’s about making Moscow nervous. Every strike forces them to pull resources back home, leaving fewer to mess with Ukraine. That’s what you call strategic multitasking.

The Bigger Picture: What Does It All Mean?

1. Supply Chain: Made in Ukraine

Ukraine’s proving that you don’t need to outsource your destruction. They’ve built a self-sufficient production line that’s as local as your neighborhood farmer’s market — except, you know, deadlier.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: Bang for Your Buck

Why spend billions on jets and tanks when you can get the same results with a $10,000 missile or a $500 drone? It’s like replacing your steak dinner with a ramen feast — still satisfying, but way cheaper.

3. Force Multiplier: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Drones find the targets, missiles take them out, and everyone’s happy — well, except the enemy. It’s efficient, effective, and a beautiful display of modern teamwork.

4. Risk of Escalation: Let’s Not Poke the Bear Too Hard

Striking deep into Russia’s backyard is risky business. One wrong move and you’re dealing with cyberattacks, unconventional warfare, or worse. It’s a tightrope walk, but Ukraine’s balancing like a pro.

The Road Ahead: Innovate or Die

1. Guidance Systems: GPS is So Last Year

With GPS jamming on the rise, Ukraine’s working on alternatives like terrain contour matching and digital scene-matching. These systems let missiles navigate without needing a GPS signal — because who needs satellites when you’ve got brains?

2. Production Challenges: Keeping the Assembly Line Rolling

Supply chain disruptions, resource shortages, enemy sabotage — the usual suspects. But Ukraine’s proven it can adapt, overcome, and keep the conveyor belt of destruction humming.

3. Dodging Defenses: Keep Them Guessing

Russia’s got some serious air defenses, but Ukraine’s tech is staying one step ahead with stealth features, speed upgrades, and sheer ingenuity. It’s a cat-and-mouse game, and Ukraine’s the cat with rocket boosters.

Final Thoughts: The Little Engine That Could

Ukraine’s missile and drone programs are flipping the bird to anyone who doubted them. They’ve rewritten the rules, turned the tables, and made it clear they’re here to stay. This is David vs. Goliath, but David’s got a GPS-guided slingshot and a drone live-streaming the whole thing. Bravo, Ukraine. Bravo.

If you’re enjoying the content on my blog and would like to dive deeper into exclusive insights, I invite you to check out my Patreon page. It’s a space where you can support my work and get access to behind-the-scenes articles, in-depth analyses, and more. Your support helps me keep creating high-quality content and allows me to explore even more exciting topics. Visit [patreon.com/ChristianBaghai](https://www.patreon.com/ChristianBaghai) and join the community today! Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Christian Baghai | Patreon

From Throne to Garden: The Epic Reclamation of Puyi in The Last Emperor | Patreon

Breaking Down the Bullshit: The Russia-Ukraine Conflict in Plain English | Patreon

Stealth, Smarts, and Torpedoes: The Hai Kun-Class Submarine’s High-Tech Chess Game in the Taiwan Strait | Patreon

Exploring the Intersection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Comments, Trump’s Actions, and the Broader Implications of Misinformation | Patreon

Elon Musk, the Cybertruck, and Crisis Leadership: A Technological Comedy of Errors | Patreon

Exploring Ukraine’s Military Advancements: A Breakdown (With a Technical Edge) | Patreon

Let’s Talk Hydrogen: The Savior Gas or Another Pipe Dream? | Patreon

Escalating U.S. Strikes on Houthi Rebels: A Critical Look at Another Fine Mess | Patreon

Sanction Enforcement: Russia’s Shadow Fleet and the Art of Dodging Rules | Patreon

Russia’s Shadow Fleet: The Pirates of Global Chaos | Patreon

Graph Attention Networks (GATs): A No-BS Breakdown | Patreon