While high, the claim is consistent with the Pentagon’s communications, which recently quoted an unnamed senior official as saying, 'The Ukrainians have been making excellent use of the Phoenix Ghost system.' Ukraine has knocked out around 2,000 Russian armored vehicles in total according to Oryx (and captured many more) so Phoenix Ghost may be scoring a significant fraction of the current kills. It suggests that the 121 Phoenix ghosts supplied so far have destroyed 70 or more targets – none of which has been seen – which, if true, is impressive. That 60% success rate is likely a figure that Arestovysch has been given. Secondly, Arestovysch commented that “580 of such units equals about 350 destroyed targets in the close rear.” If correct, this is remarkable for such a long-endurance system with a powerful warhead. But he also made the surprising comment that Phoenix Ghost is ‘backpackable.’ The Switchblade 600, which only has a forty-minute loiter time, is transported in two coffin-sized cases (each 71' x 18' x 17'), suggesting that Phoenix Ghost is much smaller, more like the Switchblade 300, which fits in a rucksack. Arestovysch confirmed the details previously revealed by Politico, that it has an impressive six-hour loiter time and infra-red guidance for night attacks. More details of Phoenix Ghost emerged in an interview with Oleksii Arestovysch, adviser to the Ukrainian President’s Office, in the Ukrainian industry site Defence Express. In conclusion, while the video may genuinely show a Phoenix Ghost strike, it is impossible to confirm at this time. A number of other Ukrainian developers were known to be working on loitering munitions before the war, and one or more of these which may also have entered service. In July a video revealed a new catapult-launched medium-sized Ukrainian-made loitering munition with a 2.5 kilo warhead which may now be operational.

is now also supplying “hundreds of loitering aerial munitions” - type unknown - according to the U.K.

This might indicate a U.S.-made weapon with an advanced height-of-burst sensor, Frame-by-frame inspection suggests the weapon detonates before impact, creating an airburst, which is more effective against personnel. Warmate also has an intermediate-sized warhead. Phoenix Ghost is said to have a warhead capable of taking out medium armor only, so it is bigger than the Switchblade 300 but smaller than the 600s, which can destroy heavy tanks. The other feature of note is the explosion, which is much larger than that seen in previous Switchblade 300 strikes.

Phoenix drone footage