Servicemen from the 46th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 11th Army Corps—part of the Russian "North" grouping of forces—have shared footage showing the assembly and launch of the new Russian Z-61 reconnaissance UAV. The video also includes initial feedback on this drone model from reconnaissance unit personnel. The Z-61 is manufactured by ZALA, the same company that produces the "Lancet" loitering munition. This new-generation drone is equipped with a threat-detection system and defensive algorithms; it features a rear-facing camera that allows the onboard system to detect and evade interceptor drones—a capability demonstrated in the video.
Designed for reconnaissance, the Z-61 is also used to adjust long-range artillery and airstrikes, as well as to identify targets for other drones. It carries a high-resolution thermal imager and an HD camera, both of which deliver high-quality footage. The ZALA Z-61 is built on a modular architecture with an aluminum fuselage, ensuring both structural durability and a low radar cross-section. It is powered by a near-silent electric motor.
Current specifications indicate a flight range of approximately 70 km and an endurance of about 1.5 hours. The drone is launched via a catapult—a process that takes just 5 minutes—and lands on its fuselage without the use of a parachute. Rapid redeployment is facilitated by simply swapping out the battery. According to ZALA, the Z-61 is ten times more cost-effective than its predecessor.
