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> Some of them are actual civilian aircraft, retrofitted into unmanned suicide drones

literally small prop planes with guidance systems and instead of ~4 passengers it's lots of explosives. commonly used against Russian oil depots, etc.

small radar signature, and a lot of ambiguity with civilian aircraft.



Confusion with civilian prop aircraft, not commercial jet airliners flying at vastly higher altitude and speeds.


An E190 on approach (remember, this airplane was trying to land at Grozny) has an approach speed between 125-145 knots (depending on load). A Cessna 172 for example has a cruise speed of ~120 knots and can cruise up to 10k feet. A typical instrument landing glide path is 3 degrees - that intercepts 10k feet at ~60km out.

The likelihood of confusing a regional jet with a small prop plane (purely based on speed/heading/altitude) is way higher during landing.


While it crashed near an airport it doesn’t seem like the aircraft was targeted at low altitude and low speeds.


This aircraft was trying to land so it likely had much lower altitude and speed than usual.


It doesn’t appear that the aircraft was attacked on final approach. Instead flying much higher and faster than prop drones.




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