The Russian attack UAV "Molniya-2" was compared with the loitering munition "Lancet" in terms of main characteristics and operational features. This was reported by Russian military personnel from the reconnaissance and assault brigade "Volki" of the Volunteer Corps.
According to the military, "Molniya-2" can carry up to 10 kg of payload and deploy it at a distance of up to 40 km. Materials about the drone also emphasize the simplicity of its design, which simplifies its operation.
A technician-engineer of the crew with the call sign Senat said that before launching "Molniya-2", it is necessary to consider weather conditions and perform a number of preparatory operations with the aircraft.
Assembling it is one thing, but you also need to launch it. The engineer's work of connecting the warhead is quite dangerous, and you need to know many nuances.
The Volunteer Corps states that in terms of its characteristics, "Molniya-2" is comparable to "Lancet", but differs in lower cost and simpler operation.
The military themselves characterize "Molniya-2" as a simple and reliable device that combines relatively large payload capacity with the ability to operate at a significant distance. The main emphasis in the design of "Molniya-2" is not on complex electronics or high speed, but on a combination of simplicity, range, and the ability to carry a significant load.
"Molniya-2" and "Lancet": comparison of attack UAVs
"Molniya-2" and "Lancet" belong to the same class of attack loitering munitions, but differ significantly in design ideology and cost. According to data from the Russian Ministry of Defence, "Molniya-2" was created as a more affordable and easier-to-operate alternative to "Lancet": the aircraft body is made of aluminum, foam, and plywood, which reduces production costs.
In terms of payload capacity, "Molniya-2" is indicated in some sources with a warhead of up to 6 kg, although recent publications by the "Volki" brigade crew mention a figure of up to 10 kg. The range of action is from 30 to 40–50 km depending on the configuration. According to operators' estimates, at a distance of less than 25 km, "Molniya-2" may outperform "Lancet" in terms of cost/efficiency in a number of tactical scenarios.
Practical application confirms the demand for a cheaper solution: in September 2025, "Molniya-2" exceeded "Lancet" in the number of combat launches by almost 5.5 times — about 2200 versus 400 launches. In parallel, the drone has evolved towards multifunctionality: the new modification is equipped with a swivel camera with 10x zoom and a mesh modem, which allows it to be used for reconnaissance tasks without abandoning the strike mode.