Amid the evolving technological battleground, Russia has heightened its reliance on “Shahed-Kamikaze drones” against Ukrainian targets since September 2022, as detailed by FOCUS online. Over this period, an astonishing 2,000 drones were unleashed on a mixture of civilian and military assets, targeting essential infrastructure such as power plants, manufacturing hubs, and grain storage facilities.
Data from the reputable British research institution “Airwars,” referenced by FOCUS online, reveals a tally of at least 2,015 drone strikes on Ukrainian soil within the year. Yet, in the face of such an overwhelming aerial assault, Kiev has broadcasted an impressive defensive triumph, neutralizing 80% of these drone threats.
Digging deeper into the technological prowess of these devices, FOCUS online elucidates that the Shahed-136 drones operate in coordinated swarms, boasting a payload of ballistic and cruise missiles. These drones, clocking speeds of up to 185 km/h, possess an expansive operational range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers. While they don’t feature autonomous targeting, they pack a significant punch with their 60-kilogram explosive capacity.
Cost-Effective Warfare: Russia’s $50K Drones vs. $63M Fighter Jets
From an economic perspective, FOCUS online underscores the drones’ fiscal allure. Drawing from insights by Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses, a single Shahed drone’s price tag stands at a mere $50,000 — a stark contrast to the whopping $63 million required for an F-16 fighter jet. This cost-benefit equation makes the drone strategy a tempting proposition for Russia, adding layers of pressure on Ukraine’s defenses.
Rounding off their coverage, FOCUS online touches on the broader strategic ramifications of this drone blitz. The persistent drone attacks have strained Ukraine’s ammunition reserves, leading to a critical shortage for their air defense systems by spring. Western allies, acknowledging the urgency, stepped in — albeit with unavoidable delays in supplying the requisite systems.
Image: president.gov.ua, Zelenskyi and Shahed-131 01, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no changes made).