Russian kamikaze drone attacks on Ukraine intensify to unmatched levels
Ukraine is suffering more air attacks from Russian kamikaze drones than ever before – with fears that Iranian support could see thousands more provided to Moscow.
September saw 1,300 drones used against Ukraine, an increase of 550 since August and more than any other month since the invasion in February 2022.
The feared Iranian Shahed-136 is one of Russia's most preferred drones, and its evolution has seen it use 4G connectivity and black anti-radar technology to deceive Ukrainian air defences.
Known for its distinctive sound and ability to inflict heavy damage against targets, the $20,000 (£15,000) Shahed forces Ukraine to use up some of its precious million-dollar air defence missiles to protect itself.
The defenders have also resorted to using heavy machine guns, MiG-29 fighters, R-73 air-to-air missiles and helicopters to intercept the drones.
However, Russia is reportedly seeking to open a factory in Tatarstan, 500 miles east of Moscow, to create 6,000 more Shahed drones by the summer of 2025.
Other threats include the advanced Russian stealth Sukhoi S-70 drone, which was reportedly used in an attempt to bomb the besieged town of Chasiv Yar.
It is believed that Moscow has three drones of this type, two prototypes and one production model.
During operations, the subsonic S-70 is known to fly with the Su-57 as its wingman.
It was reported that one of the drones had to be destroyed by a Russian aircraft after it failed to reach its target due to a malfunction.
There is speculation that Moscow destroyed the Sukhoi near Konstantynivka in Donetsk to prevent its remains from falling into the hands of the Ukrainians.
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