LONDON, UK — Ukraine has used British-made drones in deep-strike operations against targets inside Russia over the past six months, including oil refineries in Volgograd and Yaroslavl, according to The Times. Ukrainian military sources cited by the newspaper said the British systems have also been used against other targets, including naval bases, logistics hubs and transport networks.
The Nyan One-Way Effector (OWE), developed by British company Callen-Lenz, is among the systems used in these operations. Callen-Lenz is part of FalconWorks, BAE Systems’ technology division. The Times reported that a second British-made drone has also been used, but the manufacturer was not identified for security reasons.
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Ukrainian sources said most of the country's deep-strike missions continue to rely on domestically produced drones, but British systems have contributed to long-range operations. The reported targets include the Volgograd and Yaroslavl oil facilities, as well as targets in the Belgorod region.
Nyan One-Way Effector
The Nyan is a jet-powered one-way effector designed for deep-strike missions. BAE Systems describes it as having a low radar cross-section, a flexible payload bay, modular architecture and the ability to operate in GNSS-denied environments. The company also lists deep strike among its intended operational uses.
The aircraft has a 2.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of more than 75 kg. It is launched using a pneumatic catapult and is powered by a single micro gas-turbine engine. Its cruising speed is around 120 knots, or approximately 222 km/h, while its reported range is more than 150 miles (about 240 km). The drone can carry a payload of up to 20 kg.
Its carbon-fibre airframe and modular design allow different equipment configurations depending on the mission. BAE Systems says the system is designed to be deployed from unprepared ground and has already been used operationally in contested environments.
Nyan Already in Ukrainian and British Service
The Nyan has been used by the Ukrainian Defence Forces for some time. In June 2024, an identical jet-powered drone was recovered on Russian territory and was initially identified as a new Ukrainian one-way attack drone. The system was later identified as the British-made Nyan.
The system is also being introduced into the British Army. The UK Ministry of Defence said in March 2026 that the Army intends to field an initial One-Way Effector capability, including the Callen-Lenz Nyan, as part of the UK's deep-fires contribution on Operation CABRIT.
In February 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded Callen-Lenz a contract worth £4,996,500 excluding VAT for Nyan OWE systems for operational and training use. The official procurement notice said the Nyan was the only off-the-shelf product of its type registered on the Military Aircraft Register and had undergone a UK Ministry of Defence Article 36 legal review.
BAE Systems has said that more than 1,000 Nyan systems have been produced.
Tested in Estonia and at Sea
The British Army demonstrated the Nyan during Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia in May 2026, where it was used as part of the UK's deep-fires capability. Callen-Lenz said the system was operated with the Estonian-built Threod Systems CATA launcher.
The Nyan has also been tested for maritime operations. In June 2026, the Royal Navy and British Army launched the drone from the experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett during trials off the south coast of England. The launch was conducted as part of Exercise Neptune Reach under Project Vantage, which is focused on testing maritime attack drones.
The Royal Navy said the drone was launched from a launcher installed on the ship's deck and flown while the vessel was at sea. Further trials, including possible testing aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, have been discussed.
The use of British-made drones in Ukraine's deep-strike campaign adds another role for the Nyan beyond the British Army's own testing and deployment. While Ukraine continues to rely mainly on its domestic drone industry for long-range attacks, the reported use of British systems shows that UK-supplied unmanned platforms are also being employed in operations against targets inside Russia.
BAE Systems said it provides a range of capabilities to the UK Ministry of Defence as part of Britain's support for Ukraine and described the Nyan as a rapidly developed uncrewed system that has been proven in contested environments.
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