MOSCOW, — Russian underground resistance group Black Spark (Chornaya Iskra / Чорна іскра) has published documents that it says reveal a classified interceptor UAV program being developed by Russian engineering company LLC NIK (Scientific and Engineering Company).
Black Spark said the material came from NIK’s internal database. According to the group, an insider provided access to the files rather than the data being obtained through a cyberattack. The group claimed it acquired hundreds of terabytes of information and later erased the data from NIK’s servers. NIK has not publicly responded to the reported data loss.
We've obtained technology about secret Russian UAVs from the database of "NIK" LLC ("НИК" - Научно Исследовательская Компания)
— Black Spark (@Black_Spark2) August 27, 2026
This time, we didn't even have to break anything. "Thinking" people within the company understand whose side the truth is on.
A few weeks ago, one of… pic.twitter.com/e2B2AYmaE1
UBB-M Interceptor
The documents reportedly show that NIK is examining two interceptor UAV designs. The first is a modified version of the company’s UBB-M guided loitering munition.
The original UBB-M uses straight folding wings, while the interceptor version has swept wings with reduced span and surface area. Similar changes were made to the empennage to support the interceptor configuration.
The UAV is launched from a 160 mm-diameter canister using a mortar-type mechanism. According to the released documents, it has a 15–16 kg launch mass and carries a mission payload of approximately 3 kg, described by Black Spark as likely being a warhead.
The modified UBB-M reportedly uses a higher-capacity battery and upgraded electric propulsion system. Its stated specifications are:
- Speed: 250–300 km/h
- Range: 20 km
- Endurance: up to 10 minutes
- Operating altitude: 20 m to 4.5 km
The second interceptor design reportedly has a conventional conical fuselage and four electric motors. No performance specifications for this design have been released.
Other Projects in the Leaked Data
Black Spark said the database also contains information on other Russian UAV and aviation projects, including the Lancet, Condor, Harpy, Zontik and Orion UAVs, as well as a specialized drone-intercepting aircraft.
The group also said it obtained aviation-related files concerning the MiG-29 SMT, Il-103 and Il-96.
NIK is a private engineering company based in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region. It was founded in the late 1990s by specialists from the Myasishchev Design Bureau and has worked on structural analysis, composite materials, research and development, aviation and unmanned systems.
Publicly available information confirms that NIK had a long-term partnership with Boeing, beginning in 1999 and continuing until 2022. NIK engineers worked on several Boeing civilian aircraft programs, including the 737, 747, 767, 777 and 787.
Black Spark has also alleged that NIK was involved in industrial espionage against European defense companies before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The group said it possesses related information, but supporting documents have not been publicly released.
Black Spark
Black Spark has operated as an underground resistance network inside Russia since at least 2025. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces have publicly acknowledged cooperation with the group on several operations.
The group previously reported obtaining personnel databases from the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, including information connected to a facility assembling Russian Geran drones.
The latest NIK release was published in August 27, 2026. The technical specifications of the interceptor and the broader claims about the leaked database are based on material released by Black Spark and have not been independently verified. NIK has not issued a public statement on the reported breach.
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