Russia is increasing the production and use of Shahed-type kamikaze drones against Ukraine, constantly improving their effectiveness and ability to break through air defenses.
In addition to simpler drones, Moscow is developing and testing more sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) featuring artificial intelligence (AI) for auto-targeting and computer vision.
The Kremlin may transfer weapon technologies and tactics to allies such as the People’s Republic of China or Iran in exchange for resources and weapons.
Over the weekend of May 24, Russia conducted one of its largest air attacks against Ukraine. Russia used a record 653 Shahed-type kamikaze attack drones and their imitations in addition to 78 cruise, ballistic, and aircraft missiles. Ukraine shot down 372 weapons and utilized radar and other forms of electronic warfare to suppress 182 others (Facebook/Air Force Command of Ukrainian Armed Forces, May 25, May 26).
This attack is a clear demonstration of Russia’s ever-growing combat and production capabilities despite the high percentage of drones destroyed. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Kremlin plans to increase the production of Shaheds, also known as Geran (Geran’, Геран), meaning “Geranium” in English), to 500 per day and launch up to 1,000 per attack (The Economist; Ukrainian National News, May 25; C4ADS, May 29). In April,
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that Russia has increased production and is using swarm tactics, expanding its number of crews and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (Telegram/@akovalenko1989, April 22). Given their relatively low cost and simple design, Moscow can produce huge numbers of drones. Russia’s large quantity of drones and their constantly changing tactics mean they can break through even a complex echelon air defense system.
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