Russia has depleted its stock of Iranian suicide drones, MOD says

Russia has run down its current stock of Iranian-made 'suicide drones' and will likely seek resupply, according to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).  

Also known as a 'kamikaze drone', the Iranian Shahed-136 is not technically a drone, but a loitering munition, or a one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicle (OWA UAV). 

According to an MOD intelligence update, prior to 26 February 2023, there have not been any reports of OWA UAVs being used in Ukraine since around 15 February 2023. 

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Before the "decrease in OWA UAV attack tempo", as stated by the MOD, Russia had been using hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed munitions in Ukraine, according to reports.  

On 27 February 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence confirmed it had shot down 11 Shahed OWA UAVs out of 14 launched overnight. 

Out of the 11 that were shot down, nine were in the vicinity of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, while the rest were reportedly shot down in Chernhiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. 

The MOD intelligence briefing also stated that it is likely that Russia is using a new launch site.  

The intelligence update said: "Due to the vector of the attack, these Shahed-UAVs were highly likely launched from the Bryansk Oblast, Russia. 

"Previously, the only observed launch site since mid-December 2022 was from the Krasnodar region, across the Sea of Azov." 

Compared to Krasnodar, Bryansk in the west of Russia is twice as close to Kyiv. 

A second launch site closer to Kyiv would decrease time in the air over Ukraine in an attempt to further stretch Ukrainian air defences, the MOD intelligence update said. 

A second launch site closer to Kyiv would decrease time in the air over Ukraine in an attempt to further stretch Ukrainian air defences, the MOD intelligence update said. 

According to Dr Matthew Powell, RAF College Cranwell's Air Power Expert, a UAV can have "more of an effect than a fast jet which is easier to target through ground-based defence systems". 

The loitering munition is a relatively low-cost asset can but can carry only a limited payload, between 5 and 30kg.  

Its "ability to turn the tide of the war" is rather "limited", however, according to Dr Powell.  

While its relatively small size makes it harder to target than a jet, its engines are loud, earning it the nickname 'flying moped', which makes it easy to spot from the ground.