Russia using cheap drones to detect Ukraine's air defense systems - Reuters
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Russia has begun using new cheap drones in its long-range attacks on Ukraine to detect air defense systems, record damage, and act as decoys, Reuters reports.
In the past two to three weeks, Russia has used two new types of drones in five attacks, including a night strike on Thursday. These drones are made of foam and plywood. One type of drone is equipped with a camera and a SIM card from a Ukrainian mobile phone to transmit images to Russian forces.
They detect the location of Ukrainian mobile units and machine guns capable of destroying them. Russia is trying to adapt its tactics and test new technologies to gain an advantage in its daily missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Shaheds, which fly to their target and explode upon impact, have become a key element of Russia's air attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The new Russian drones with cameras do not carry explosives but resemble regular Shaheds and fly in groups. Another type of drone also carries no explosives or only a small amount and is used as a decoy. These drones are difficult to distinguish from regular attack drones from the ground, so they must also be shot down to identify the location of Ukraine's air defense systems.
Despite their long range, the new drones likely cost no more than $10,000 each, making them cheaper than air defense missiles. The drones can fly at an altitude of 1,000 meters, which is out of reach for machine guns and automatic rifles.
Attack on Ukraine on July 25
On the night of July 25, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using Shahed-type strike drones. In total, the enemy deployed 38 drones targeting several regions, including the southern part of the Odesa region and central areas of Ukraine.
During the defense, air defense forces destroyed 25 drones. Three Shaheds crossed the state border with Romania and were lost.
Later, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu confirmed that drone debris had been found on Romanian territory.
In response, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy, expressing protest and condemning the repeated attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.
