Ukrainian forces dismantle Russian drone depot in bold strike
The Ukrainian armed forces have struck an underground depot in Russia's Orel region, targeting it with Storm Shadow missiles, as reported by the Ukrainian agency Unian portal.
The attack, carried out by the Ukrainian armed forces, successfully targeted an underground bunker in the Orel region, where the Russian Federation's army stores Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles. The strike was executed using Storm Shadow missiles, which precisely hit the bunker containing the drones. This information has been corroborated by OSINT analysts, who have shared satellite images.
Consequences of the attack
Reports on Telegram indicate that the Storm Shadow missiles effectively hit an underground storage facility for unmanned aerial vehicles in the Orel region.
The Ukrainian General Staff has stated that approximately 200 Shahed drones were destroyed as a result of this operation.
Storm Shadow missiles strike the Shahed warehouse
The Storm Shadow missiles, deployed by Ukrainians in this strike, represent advanced "fire-and-forget" military technology. This implies that, after targeting and firing, the weapon requires no further intervention, enhancing its effectiveness. Combining inertial navigation, GPS, and TERPROM systems that adjust to the terrain, the missile can accurately strike its target. It travels at an altitude of between 130 to 490 feet above ground, making detection challenging. The error margin in hitting its target is as little as one to three metres.
Before reaching the target, the Storm Shadow missile releases a high-resolution thermal camera to confirm the target. Subsequently, the missile increases its altitude to optimise the impact. A crucial component of the missile's functionality is the BROACH warhead, which operates in two stages. The first stage burns a hole in the target, and the second ensures complete destruction of the object by the main warhead.
In contrast, the Shahed-136 drones are noted for their simple construction and relatively low production costs. A unique aspect of these drones is their design, featuring open delta-shaped wings. Measuring approximately 11 feet in length, with a wingspan of about 8 feet, these drones can carry combat loads up to 90 pounds. Equipped with the Limbach L550E engine, they can reach a top speed of about 115 mph. These specifications make them highly effective for diverse military applications.
