Russia ramps up drone war with more than 6,000 Shaheds monthly - CNN
Photo: Russia's drone production is cheaper than buying them from Iran (Getty Images)
Russia plans to produce more than 6,000 Shahed drones monthly, reports CNN.
A CNN source in Ukrainian Defense Intelligence said that, besides increasing numbers, producing strike drones in Russia now costs much less than at the start of the war, when Moscow bought them from Tehran.
"In 2022, Russia paid an average of $200,000 for one such drone. In 2025, that number came down to approximately $70,000," a CNN source said.
The source added that this was made possible by the large-scale production of Shahed drones at the Alabuga drone factory in Tatarstan.
CNN notes that cost estimates vary widely. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that a Shahed-136 drone costs between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit.
For comparison, a single surface-to-air missile interceptor can cost over $3 million.
"That relatively low cost makes it possible for the Kremlin to ramp up its nightly drone attacks, as well as conduct more frequent large-scale attacks," CNN reported.
At the start of the war, major rocket and drone barrages happened roughly once a month. Now, CSIS analysis shows that these attacks occur on average every eight days.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine
This summer, Russian forces set new records for attacks on Ukraine, using drones, missiles, and other weapons. However, in recent weeks, ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska and talks on Ukraine, the number of attacks and targeted cities decreased.
Still, on the night of August 21, Russia launched one of the largest attacks of the war, sending over 600 drones and missiles. Air defense forces intercepted and neutralized 577 targets that night and the following morning, including Kinzhal and Kalibr missiles.
For more details on air defense performance, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
Ukraine is catching up to Russia
Recently, the media reported that Ukraine has started mass production of the long-range FP-1 strike drone, first revealed in May 2025. As reported, the drone is now being produced at a scale approaching that of Russia's large Shahed production facility in Alabuga.
