Mugin UAV Mugin
Chinese twin-boom UAV used by both sides in Ukraine.
ZLEA · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Mugin is a family of twin-boom fixed-wing drones manufactured by the Chinese company Mugin UAV. It became widely known during the Russo-Ukrainian War, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces employed it for different missions.
In November 2021, Somali authorities confiscated six Mugin-2s imported from Turkey, suspecting they were destined for attacks. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both sides used the aircraft. In February 2023, Ukrainian troops shot down what appeared to be a Mugin-4 carrying an OF-62 high-explosive fragmentation projectile. The following month, soldiers from Ukraine’s 111th Territorial Defense Brigade downed a Russian Mugin-5 Pro with AK-47s after being tipped off by agents in occupied territory; they found it flying low and, upon inspection, discovered it was packed with about 44 pounds of explosives, likely intended as a loitering munition. The explosives were safely detonated. Ukrainian forces also reportedly used Mugin-5s for surveillance inside Russian-occupied areas, and employed them in an August 2022 attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol. The drones were also speculated to have been involved in the May 2023 Kremlin drone attack. In response to this military use, Mugin UAV issued a statement in March 2023 condemning the practice and announcing it had stopped all sales to Russia and Ukraine.
The Mugin line includes several variants. The Mini Mugin has a 2600 mm wingspan, conventional takeoff, and comes in H-Tail or V-Tail configurations, designed for a 20–35cc gasoline engine. The Mugin-2 Pro is a VTOL variant with a 2930 mm wingspan, H-Tail, and either electric or gasoline power. The Mugin-3 offers wingspans of 3220 mm or 3600 mm, powered by a DLE60 engine; the smaller version is a conventional V-Tail, while the larger one comes in conventional or VTOL H-Tail forms. In March 2019, the VTOL variant’s material shifted from wood to fiberglass, reducing its weight from 14.6 kg to 13 kg. The Mugin-3 Pro uses carbon fiber and is available as a 3220 mm conventional V-Tail or a 3600 mm VTOL V-Tail. The Mugin-4 is a conventional takeoff drone with a 4500 mm wingspan.
Quick Facts
- National Origin
- China
- Manufacturer
- Mugin UAV
- Primary User
- Russian Armed Forces
- More Users
- Armed Forces of Ukraine / Nigerian Air Force
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Mugin series includes numerous variants ranging from the Mini Mugin with a 2600 mm wingspan to the Mugin-6 Pro with a 6000 mm wingspan. Variants are built in conventional takeoff and VTOL configurations, with materials including wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. The Mugin-5 Pro, for example, is available with either four or eight lift motors in its VTOL versions.
Operational use spans multiple countries and conflicts. In November 2021, Somali security forces seized six Mugin-2s imported from Turkey over fears they were intended for attacks. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both Russian and Ukrainian forces employed the Mugin. In February 2023, Ukrainian soldiers shot down what appeared to be a Mugin-4 carrying an OF-62 high-explosive fragmentation projectile. In March 2023, soldiers of the 111th Territorial Defense Brigade shot down a Russian Mugin-5 Pro with AK-47s after being alerted by agents in Russian-occupied territory; the drone was filled with approximately 44 lb of explosives and was likely intended as a loitering munition.
Ukrainian forces reportedly used Mugin-5 drones for surveillance inside Russian-occupied territory and in an attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol in August 2022. They were also speculated to have been used in the Kremlin drone attack in May 2023. In response to military use, Mugin UAV released a statement in March 2023 condemning such use and stated that it had ceased all sales to Russia and Ukraine.
Reader's Guide
The Mugin series represents a commercially available Chinese UAV platform that found significant military application during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Its twin-boom design and range of variants—from small gasoline-powered models to large carbon-fiber VTOL platforms—made it adaptable for both surveillance and loitering munition roles. The drone's notoriety stems from its use by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, a rare instance of a single civilian drone type being employed by opposing sides in a major conflict. The seizure of Mugin-2s in Somalia in 2021 further illustrates the platform's proliferation beyond its intended civilian market. Mugin UAV's public condemnation of military use and cessation of sales to Russia and Ukraine highlights the ethical and legal challenges faced by manufacturers when their products are weaponized. The Nigerian Air Force's use of the Mugin for training, temporarily halted in 2017 due to spare parts shortages but resumed in June 2019, shows its adoption by conventional military forces for non-combat purposes. The Mugin's legacy is thus one of a versatile, accessible drone that blurred the lines between civilian and military technology in modern warfare.
Did You Know?
- Somali security forces seized six Mugin-2s in November 2021 over fears of their use in attacks.
- A Russian Mugin-5 Pro shot down in March 2023 contained approximately 44 lb of explosives.
- Mugin UAV stated in March 2023 that it had ceased all sales to Russia and Ukraine.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mugin UAV?
The Mugin is a family of twin-boom fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles produced by the Chinese firm Mugin UAV. It gained broad public attention after being deployed by both Russian and Ukrainian forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Who manufactures the Mugin drone and where is it from?
The Mugin is built by the Chinese company Mugin UAV. Despite its Chinese origin, the aircraft has seen combat use by operators well outside Asia, most notably in the Ukraine conflict.
How did the Mugin feature in the Russia-Ukraine war?
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces employed Mugin drones for different mission sets during the invasion. In February 2023, Ukrainian troops downed what appeared to be a Mugin-4 carrying an OF-62 fragmentation warhead, and a downed Russian example was found with roughly 44 lb of explosive payload.
What was the first known seizure of a Mugin drone?
In November 2021, Somali authorities intercepted six Mugin-2 units that had been imported via Turkey. Officials suspected the aircraft were intended for use in attacks, making it the earliest publicly documented confiscation of the type.
What are the key specs of the Mugin-5 Pro VTOL variant?
The Mugin-5 Pro VTOL features a 5,000 mm wingspan supported by eight lift motors and is constructed from carbon fiber. It represents the vertical-takeoff-and-landing evolution of the Mugin line, allowing operation from confined spaces without a runway.
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