Russia changes tactics of Shahed strikes and increases use of jet-powered drones – photo
Russian forces are shifting from tactics of mass Shahed attacks to more selective attacks, and are increasingly using jet-powered modifications of these drones for strikes on Ukraine's rear areas.
Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's Defence Minister and a radio technology specialist
Details: Flash said that petrol-powered Shaheds have become less effective for deep rear strikes after Ukrainian forces learned to shoot down 92-96% of such drones.
"Therefore, the enemy is increasingly using jet-powered Shaheds for attacks on the rear. Their number is growing," he noted.
Meanwhile, Beskrestnov says, petrol-powered drones continue to be actively used for strikes on border territories.
"Every day, about 200 Shaheds attack facilities in these areas (petrol stations, warehouses, energy facilities, transport). Proximity to the border makes it possible to widely use radio control via mesh modems. Suppressing satellite navigation systems in such situations is ineffective," the expert added.
According to Flash, the overall number of Shaheds launched by Russia in attacks on Ukraine has recently decreased. At the same time, the adviser believes that Russia has neither technical nor economic reasons to reduce their use.
In addition, his assessment is that Russian forces are shifting from mass strikes to selective attacks.
"Important targets are chosen, reconnaissance of targets is carried out in several stages, our lines of defence (EW, radar, air defence) are studied, corridors bypassing our interceptors are probed, and routes at different altitudes and speeds are plotted," he noted.
Beskrestnov said that Russian forces are also using a Shahed modification called Seeker, equipped with target acquisition capability.
Background:
- Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russian forces had begun using an autonomous version of the Molniya attack drone with artificial intelligence in Zaporizhzhia.
- Flash also said that autonomous target selection systems are undergoing initial stages of combat testing both in Ukraine and in Russia.
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