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Russia shoots down Portuguese AR3 drone used in Ukraine

Updated 3 months ago2 new reports, including CNN Portugal, Observador.

·1 min read·2 outlets
Photo via Montage created by Hoben7599 / CC BY-SA 3.0

The short version

Russian forces intercepted and shot down a Portuguese Tekever AR3 drone after a 30-minute chase. The aircraft, used by Ukrainian forces, was sent intact for study in Russia.

The Tekever AR3 drone was shot down by Russian forces after a 30-minute chase.2,1 The aircraft flew at an altitude of approximately 2.5 kilometers and a speed of 90-100 km/h during the pursuit.2 The Russian battalion responsible for the kill described the task as not easy due to the AR3's flight characteristics.2

The fuselage of the drone remained intact after slaughter and was sent for study in Russia.1 The Tekever AR3 is an elite product of the Portuguese company Tekever and has logged thousands of flight hours in Ukraine.3 The Tekever company manufactures the AR3, a drone considered high-tech and used by Ukrainian forces.3,4

The Russian interest in the AR3 was described as' strange 'by a CNN Portugal journalist, given that the aircraft has already been in operation since the beginning of the conflict.5 The AR3 drone is highlighted by features that make it advantageous on the battlefield, according to CNN Portugal.4

“The drone was constantly flying at an altitude of approximately 2.5 kilometers and a speed of 90-100 km/h, preventing any pursuit”
Batalhão russo, fonte não identificada2
“It has been in operation since the beginning of the conflict”
Rolando Santos, jornalista da CNN Portugal5
“This is the Tekever AR3, the Portuguese drone that impressed the Russians”
CNN Portugal4

Why it matters

  • The Tekever AR3 is a medium altitude, long endurance drone designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.3,4

  • Ukraine has used Portuguese drones like the AR3 since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, with reports of thousands of hours of operation.3

This account was written from the 5 reports listed below, filed by 2 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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5 source reports

2 outlets · 1 countries · citation numbers match the article

  1. 1

    Observador · PT

    "Nunca vimos nada assim": Rússia captura drone português

    Aug 3, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

  2. 2

    CNN Portugal · PT

    "Nunca tínhamos visto nada assim": Rússia abate "raro" drone português

    Aug 3, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

  3. 3

    Observador · PT

    Tekever AR3, o drone português que impressionou a Rússia

    Aug 3, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

  4. 4

    CNN Portugal · PT

    Este é o Tekever AR3, o drone português que impressionou os russos

    Aug 4, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

  5. 5

    CNN Portugal · PT

    Curiosidade dos russos pelo drone português "é um bocado estranha": "Já está em operação desde o início do conflito"

    Aug 4, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

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