The British newspaper "The Times" reported that Ukrainian forces launched - last Sunday - an advanced British missile against a Russian drone in its first use in Ukraine and succeeded in destroying it with high efficiency.

The newspaper pointed out in a report that the missile is called "Martlett" (LMM), a lightweight laser-guided multi-role missile that Britain secretly sent to Ukraine.

She said the missile was filmed as it was launched by a Ukrainian soldier last Sunday.

Footage of the attack shows the soldier aiming a shoulder launcher at an Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone in the Kharkiv region before the 1,100mph missile is launched.

Ukrainian chants

The chants were heard moments later after the warhead hit the Russian march with a focused explosive device and after shrapnel exploded.

Pictures showed the crashed plane, which cost the equivalent of 92,000 pounds to build, losing both wings after being hit.

As of Monday, it was not known that Martellite missiles had been sent to Ukraine to help secure the country's airspace against Russian planes, helicopters and reconnaissance drones.

British officials, who announced support shipments to Ukraine, did not mention the name of the weapon.


A senior defense source said that the Martellite missiles were delivered as part of the British "air defense package", adding: "The missiles are interchangeable with the launch pad, and the Martellite missiles are the best for drones."

A defense industry source said when examining the footage that the Martlet is a small, more compact and high-precision weapon designed to take out fast-moving targets, and is best against jets and helicopters, and can be launched against boats and drones.

Greetings from Ukrainian paratroopers

A Ukrainian soldier wrote on Twitter: "This is a salute from Ukrainian paratroopers to Boris Johnson. Thank you, Britain. We are using the support of our allies effectively, we are asking for more of him to be sent for our freedom and yours."

Western sources warned that Russia is trying to double its force in the Donbass region and that dozens of units are already moving or waiting for the order to move.

Other sources said the West should act now to give Ukraine more lethal weapons while the Russians retool and refurbish their units.

The Times said the airspace battle was considered the most important front in the war by Ukraine's air force.

Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heeger said on Monday that Slovakia is considering providing Ukraine with Soviet-made MiG-29 combat aircraft if it is possible to arrange alternative protection for its airspace.

Western countries provided a variety of weapons, but previous discussions about providing these planes, which are also used by Poland and Bulgaria, have stalled because the plans were too risky to increase tensions between Russia and NATO.