Russia builds more Shahed launch sites – Threat to Ukraine rises
Illustrative photo: Iranian Shahed drone (Getty Images)
The Russian army is actively expanding launch sites for Shahed strike drones. One of these sites is located at the Shatalovo airfield in Russia’s Smolensk region, Militarnyi reports.
According to the outlet, satellite images show four permanent launchers and four specialized drone-launch vehicles already deployed at Shatalovo. From this airfield, Russia can launch 22 Shahed drones simultaneously and potentially hundreds in a single night.
Because the airfield is relatively close to the border, Russians fear attacks by Ukrainian drones. As a result, they have deployed an air defense battery near Shatalovo.
Satellite data indicate that Russia is actively expanding launch positions at six locations typically used for drone attacks against Ukraine:
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Shatalovo airfield
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Millerovo airfield
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Primorsko-Akhtarsk
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Navlya
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Tsymbulova
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Temporarily occupied Donetsk
In the Rostov region near Millerovo, satellite imagery shows the construction of specialized hangars for servicing and storing strike drones. A full system of hangars of varying capacities has already been built, with four more under construction. In total, this will allow the Russian army to store up to 126 drones at Millerovo at a time.
Photo: Militarnyi
Photo: Militarnyi
It has also recently emerged that Russian forces have begun using Gerbera drones as carriers for small reconnaissance or strike UAVs.
Effectively, the Gerbera imitates the widely used Shahed drone. It is primarily used as a decoy but can also carry a small warhead or perform electronic reconnaissance. The Ukrainian Armed Forces note that even these small Gerbera drones pose a threat, as Russian forces often equip them with several kilograms of explosives.
