After Ukraine's significant successes in countering Russian Shahed drones, Russia has begun to upgrade these drones and change the tactics of their use in order to overcome Ukrainian defenses, Forbes reported.
New versions of the Shahed have reinforced engine compartment armor, allowing them to withstand shelling. Also, the fuel tanks, which were previously located in the wings, have been moved to the drone's fuselage, allowing it to remain in the air even after damage to the wing or fuselage.
An important innovation was the integration of submunitions. Drones can now drop small explosive devices in flight, making them less dependent on precision guidance and allowing them to hit infantry or light fortifications over a larger area.
Such modernized drones are already being used in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. The Ukrainian military notes that the explosions occur 20 minutes after the drones fly by and are not accompanied by the sound of a fall.
In addition, Russia has changed its launch tactics: the drones are launched in pairs - one flying lower, the other higher. Ukrainian radars often detect only the lower drone, while the second passes unnoticed, increasing the chances of hitting the target.
Another feature is the joint use of "Shaheeds" with "Lancet" kamikaze drones, which strike mobile air defense fire groups, clearing the way for the main wave of drones.
Ukraine's response was new countermeasure tactics: detection systems are being improved, mobile group vehicles are being modified, and more powerful means of destroying drones are being used.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces struck one of the factories producing "shaheeds" in an attempt to limit their supply.
According to experts, Russia may attack Ukraine with thousands of such drones simultaneously in the coming months, increasing its own production and reducing dependence on Iran.
The latest intelligence shows that the new "Shaheeds" are equipped with artificial intelligence and an infrared camera, which indicates joint work between the Russian Federation and Iran in modernizing strike drones.
