Russia uses KRSN warhead on jet drone for first time, Ukraine's presidential advisor says
On 30 September, Russia for the first time used a cumulative-cutting special payload (KRSN) warhead on a jet-powered drone, according to presidential technology advisor Serhiy Beskrestnov (callsign Flash). The warhead is designed to destroy high-voltage power line pylons and metal bridges. The same day, explosions in Kyiv cut electricity and water supply in parts of the city.
Key points
- Russia used a KRSN (cumulative-cutting special payload) warhead on a jet-powered drone for the first time on 30 September.
- The information was reported by presidential technology advisor Serhiy Beskrestnov (callsign Flash).
- The KRSN warhead is designed specifically to destroy high-voltage power line pylons and metal bridge structures.
- The KRSN consists of a main warhead of about 40 kg and four additional strike modules.
- Flash believes the enemy's plan is to attack important high-voltage power transmission lines.
- On 30 September, parts of Kyiv lost electricity and water supply after explosions.
- Ukrenergo ordered emergency power outages in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast and Zhytomyr Oblast due to equipment overload after a Russian strike.
Why it matters
The KRSN warhead is purpose-built for destroying high-voltage transmission pylons and metal bridges, signalling Russia is developing capabilities aimed specifically at critical energy infrastructure. Mounting it on a jet-powered drone makes it harder for Ukrainian air defence to intercept. The event coincided with explosions in Kyiv that cut electricity and water supply and triggered emergency outages across four oblasts. Prime Minister Svyrydenko stated occupiers have shifted to mass strikes on energy infrastructure, indicating an evolving campaign against Ukraine's power grid.
What happened
On 30 September, Russia for the first time used a cumulative-cutting special payload (KRSN) warhead on a jet-powered drone, according to presidential technology advisor Serhiy Beskrestnov (callsign Flash). The KRSN warhead is designed specifically to destroy high-voltage power line supports and metal bridge structures. It consists of a main warhead of about 40 kg and four additional strike modules. Flash said the use of the KRSN was bad news and assessed that the enemy's plan is to attack important high-voltage power transmission lines. The same day, parts of Kyiv lost electricity and water supply after explosions, and Ukrenergo ordered emergency outages across Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast and Zhytomyr Oblast because of equipment overload caused by a Russian strike. Flash also said air defence is being reorganised around Kyiv to try to destroy incoming jet-powered targets before they reach the capital, noting that resources for stopping such drones far from the city are limited.
Background
In recent months Russia has been mass-using jet-powered drones, which are harder for air defence to shoot down. Ukraine is still working on interceptor drones to counter jet-powered drones. The KRSN warhead consists of a main warhead of about 40 kg plus four additional strike modules.