Russia has started using new, cheaply-made drones in its attacks on Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian military official. These drones are designed to help Russia identify Ukrainian air defences, capture damage footage, and act as decoys. The new drones, which have been used in recent attacks, are made from materials such as foam plastic and plywood.
One type of drone is equipped with a camera and a Ukrainian SIM card, allowing it to send images back to the Russian military. “They are used to locate our mobile units and machine guns, and to map out our air defences,” said Andriy Cherniak, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence.
These drones do not carry explosives but are intended to closely resemble Russian Shahed attack drones, which are used in suicide missions. The new drones are reportedly used in combination with Shahed drones and are often employed as decoys. Their main function is to trick Ukrainian air defences into revealing their locations.
Cherniak noted that these new drones are relatively inexpensive, costing around $10,000 each. They can fly at altitudes that make them hard to target with machine guns, making them a cost-effective tool for Russia.
The introduction of these drones highlights how Russia is adapting its tactics and technologies in the ongoing conflict. Ukraine has been requesting more air defence support from the West to counter the increased Russian aerial attacks on its infrastructure.
