Russia's drone strategy intensifies threat to Ukrainian civilians
Russians are filling their drones with shrapnel to inflict as much damage as possible on civilians in Ukraine, warns Ukrainian defence expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski in a conversation with the Unian agency.
Anatoliy Khrapchynski, deputy general director of a company producing electronic warfare systems, explains in a conversation with the Ukrainian Unian agency that Russians are not giving up on the use of missiles and guided bombs, but are simultaneously seeking cheaper methods of attack. For this reason, the Russian army has started using drones filled with shrapnel to increase damage among the civilian population in Ukraine.
Khrapchynski points out the recent drone attacks on the city of Sumy, where residential buildings were targeted. The expert emphasises that it's necessary to increase the number of mobile fire groups and systems for detecting and intercepting unmanned aircraft to protect the civilian population.
Increasing civilian safety
Cities like Sumy, located close to the border, are particularly vulnerable to attacks. The Russians use not only Iranian "Shahed" drones but also aerial bombs and ballistic missiles. Khrapchynski points to the need to increase the number of shelters for the civilian population.
Putin's army uses Shahed-136 drones, known in Russia as Geran 2, for attacks on Ukraine. These unmanned aerial vehicles, developed in Iran, are relatively cheap and have a simple construction, making them effective weapons capable of conducting massive attacks. They reach speeds of up to 185 km/h and can carry combat loads of up to 40 kg.
New defence strategies
Khrapchynski notes that in the Kharkiv region, Russians use guided bombs less frequently and resort more often to drones. The enemy forces are looking for cheaper solutions but continue to improve unmanned machines to increase their range.
A factory is being built in Russia for the mass production of Shahed-136 drones. These kamikaze drones are used for attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Their range is estimated to be around 1,000 km, and the unit cost is approximately £16,500.
New version of Shahed
Last night, a tragic Shahed drone attack occurred in the city of Sumy on a residential building, resulting in the death of four people. Five people, including a child, were hospitalised, and three of them are in critical condition. Four people, including one child, were saved, and 118 people were evacuated.
Iran, as an ally of Russia, supplies Shahed drones used during the war in Ukraine. The new version, Shahed-238, introduces improvements, including more advanced guidance systems. Though the exact technical specifications remain unknown, this drone may be more dangerous due to the use of a jet engine.
