Russian plant hit by drones resembling Iranian Shahed, possibly Ukrainian-made
Photo: Shahed attack drone (Getty Images
Ukraine carried out a strike on the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in Russia’s Rostov region overnight on July 4. The facility was targeted with a new type of strike drone that visually resembles the Iranian-Russian Shahed, according to Defence Blog and a post by
The outlet analyzed photos and videos that circulated in Russian social media on the morning of July 4. One video captured the moment the drone hit the plant, and the drone's appearance closely resembled that of a Shahed.
"Local residents filmed the moment of impact, capturing the silhouette of what appears to be a new type of Ukrainian long-range drone. The remotely-piloted aircraft features a blended delta wing design similar to Iran’s Shahed series," the Defence Blog says.
Ukraine has deployed a new kamikaze drone strikingly similar to the Iranian Shahed-136, spotted over Moscow and Rostov. pic.twitter.com/BZbdMqDcqy
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) July 4, 2025
Photo: a drone that looks like a Shahed (screenshot from the video)
The drone’s tail stabilizer, however, more closely resembles that of the Israeli loitering munition IAI Harop (Garpiya). This led analysts to speculate that Ukraine may have used the Shahed as a base to develop a hybrid design.
Another possibility is that the video captured the use of a trophy Shahed or Geran-2 drone. Many of these drones are neutralized by Ukrainian electronic warfare during Russia’s nighttime attacks. Some are recovered largely intact, then repaired, reprogrammed, and later used to strike targets inside Russia.
Strikes on Russia, July 4
On Friday, July 4, Russian authorities reported drone attacks on several locations in the Rostov region and the Sergiyev Posad district near Moscow. In both regions, key defense-related facilities were hit, including workshops at the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant, which is under international sanctions.
Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strike, stating that the target in Sergiyev Posad was a Russian plant involved in manufacturing Shahed drones. Preliminary reports indicate that the plant’s operations were halted as a result of the attack.
