Russian drones with shrapnel intensify threat in Ukraine
Russians are equipping their drones with shrapnel to inflict maximum damage on civilians in Ukraine, warns Ukrainian defense expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski in a conversation with the Unian agency.
Anatoliy Khrapchynski, deputy general director of a company that produces electronic warfare systems, explains in a conversation with the Ukrainian Unian agency that Russians are not abandoning the use of missiles and guided bombs. However, they 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 highlights recent drone attacks on the city of Sumy, where residential buildings were targeted. The expert emphasizes the necessity of increasing 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, to attack Ukraine. These unmanned aerial vehicles, developed in Iran, are relatively cheap and simple to construct, making them effective weapons capable of conducting massive attacks. They can reach speeds of up to 115 mph and can carry combat loads of up to 88 lbs.
New defense 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 to mass-produce Shahed-136 drones. These kamikaze drones are used for attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Their range is estimated to be around 620 miles, and the unit cost is approximately $20,000.
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 hospitalized, and three of them are in critical condition. Four people, including one child, were rescued, and 118 people were evacuated.
Iran, an ally of Russia, supplied 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 because it uses a jet engine.
