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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia drones: Thought U.S. and EU drones were superior? Russia unleashes drones that fly higher and faster — here's all about them
Russia Using Modified Drones Drones Flying in Higher Altitudes, Bigger Challenge For Ukraine MANPADS: The Weapon Ukraine Needs ADVERTISEMENT FAQs Russia has recently changed its drone strategy, by operating it at higher altitudes and using modified drones that fly faster, and only higher-reaching weapons can be used to beat them, as per a drone used by Russia to attack Ukraine is the Shahed-136, which is an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces in its own country, according to Business Insider. While, traditionally the Shahed-136, which is a one-way attack drone, could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a 90-pound explosive warhead, reported Business Insider. But now, Russia has started using a modified version of the drone with an engine that lets it travel at speeds of more than 180 mph, as per the previously, Russia would launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection, but now, the country is flying the drones higher, at more than 8,000 feet, which is beyond the reach of the machine guns that the Ukrainian mobile air defence unit uses to defend, according to Business who is the deputy commander of an air defence unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said that the newer tactic "makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups", all they can do is "observe them and report back," as reported by Business commander pointed out that, "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons, like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)," as quoted in the also added that, "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS, the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold," quoted Business a one-way attack drone originally designed in Iran and now built in Russia, used for long-range newer, modified versions can reach speeds over 180 mph, much faster than earlier models.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's attack drones are flying higher and faster. A Ukrainian air defender says old machine guns aren't enough to kill them anymore.
Russia's drone attacks have become more complex and difficult to defend against. A Ukrainian team leader overseeing a mobile air defense unit said the drones fly faster and higher. He said his unit needs shoulder-launched missiles in addition to the machine guns it has been using. Russia's drone attacks are becoming increasingly complex, with enemy threats becoming harder to kill, the team leader for a Ukrainian mobile air defense unit told Business Insider. He said higher-reaching weapons are needed to beat them. Oleksiy, the deputy commander of an air defense unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said Russia's drone tactics have changed over the last few months; it is now operating drones at higher altitudes and using modified ones that can fly faster. This presents a challenge for air defenders, particularly those armed only with pickup truck-mounted machine guns. At the heart of Russia's drone attacks is the Shahed-136, an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces at home. Historically, these one-way attack drones could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a nearly 90-pound explosive warhead. Though the Shaheds are slower and less lethal than cruise or ballistic missiles, they are significantly cheaper, allowing Russia to launch them in large-scale attacks. Last weekend, for instance, Moscow sent 273 of them into Ukraine, marking one of its largest drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over three years ago. Oleksiy, whose unit is tasked with protecting civilians and critical infrastructure on the outskirts of Kyiv, said that Russia still operates the conventional Shaheds. But Moscow is now using a modified version with an engine that enables it to travel at speeds of over 180 mph. It has also increased the explosive payloads of the old and new drones to more than double the original. Russia is using decoy drones, too. These don't have warheads but are designed to exhaust Ukraine's air defenses because they look convincing, appearing just as deadly as the real thing. And while they are unarmed, these drones can perform long-distance reconnaissance missions. Russia used to launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. However, it is now flying the drones higher, at over 8,000 feet — beyond the reach of the machine guns that the mobile units are using. BI previously observed Oleksiy's unit fielding a .50 caliber M2 Browning mounted in the bed of a truck. Oleksiy said that this newer tactic makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups like his — all they can do is observe them and report back. These loitering munitions can then gather in a specific area and simultaneously strike targets. He said that while the Ukrainians can still shoot them down, the kill figures "have begun to decrease." Russia's defense ministry and its embassy in the US did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the change in tactics described to BI. In a February intelligence update, Britain's defense ministry wrote that Russia could likely launch at least 2,000 drones each month for the entire year. On Saturday night alone, it attacked Ukraine with almost 300 drones, Kyiv said. "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons," like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or MANPADS, Oleksiy said. MANPADS stands for Man-Portable Air Defense Systems. In Ukraine, common examples are the American-made FIM-92 Stinger or Soviet-era 9K38 Igla. These are typically used to shoot down threats like low-flying aircraft, such as helicopters, and even cruise missiles. "Right now, there is a shortage of inexpensive, hand-held MANPADS systems to shoot down drones," Oleksiy explained. "The military is ready to undergo a rapid course in MANPADS operation and use this means of destruction when it is impossible to do so with machine guns." He said that a combined-arms approach to destroying drones, like using portable missile launchers in tandem with machine guns, would strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself. "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS," he said, "the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Russia's attack drones are flying higher and faster. A Ukrainian air defender says old machine guns aren't enough to kill them anymore.
Russia's drone attacks are becoming increasingly complex, with enemy threats becoming harder to kill, the team leader for a Ukrainian mobile air defense unit told Business Insider. He said higher-reaching weapons are needed to beat them. Oleksiy, the deputy commander of an air defense unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said Russia's drone tactics have changed over the last few months; it is now operating drones at higher altitudes and using modified ones that can fly faster. This presents a challenge for air defenders, particularly those armed only with pickup truck-mounted machine guns. At the heart of Russia's drone attacks is the Shahed-136, an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces at home. Historically, these one-way attack drones could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a nearly 90-pound explosive warhead. Though the Shaheds are slower and less lethal than cruise or ballistic missiles, they are significantly cheaper, allowing Russia to launch them in large-scale attacks. Last weekend, for instance, Moscow sent 273 of them into Ukraine, marking one of its largest drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over three years ago. Oleksiy, whose unit is tasked with protecting civilians and critical infrastructure on the outskirts of Kyiv, said that Russia still operates the conventional Shaheds. But Moscow is now using a modified version with an engine that enables it to travel at speeds of over 180 mph. It has also increased the explosive payloads of the old and new drones to more than double the original. Russia is using decoy drones, too. These don't have warheads but are designed to exhaust Ukraine's air defenses because they look convincing, appearing just as deadly as the real thing. And while they are unarmed, these drones can perform long-distance reconnaissance missions. Russia used to launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. However, it is now flying the drones higher, at over 8,000 feet — beyond the reach of the machine guns that the mobile units are using. BI previously observed Oleksiy's unit fielding a .50 caliber M2 Browning mounted in the bed of a truck. Oleksiy said that this newer tactic makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups like his — all they can do is observe them and report back. These loitering munitions can then gather in a specific area and simultaneously strike targets. He said that while the Ukrainians can still shoot them down, the kill figures "have begun to decrease." In a February intelligence update, Britain's defense ministry wrote that Russia could likely launch at least 2,000 drones each month for the entire year. On Saturday night alone, it attacked Ukraine with almost 300 drones, Kyiv said. "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons," like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or MANPADS, Oleksiy said. MANPADS stands for Man-Portable Air Defense Systems. In Ukraine, common examples are the American-made FIM-92 Stinger or Soviet-era 9K38 Igla. These are typically used to shoot down threats like low-flying aircraft, such as helicopters, and even cruise missiles. "Right now, there is a shortage of inexpensive, hand-held MANPADS systems to shoot down drones," Oleksiy explained. "The military is ready to undergo a rapid course in MANPADS operation and use this means of destruction when it is impossible to do so with machine guns." He said that a combined-arms approach to destroying drones, like using portable missile launchers in tandem with machine guns, would strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself. "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS," he said, "the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold."
Russia Today
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russian missile strikes Ukrainian troops during award ceremony in Sumy
A Russian missile has struck Ukrainian troops lining up for an award ceremony in the city of Sumy near the front line, according to Ukrainian lawmaker Mariana Bezuglaya, a former member of Vladimir Zelensky's political party. The acting mayor of Sumy, Artyon Kobzar, said that the strike on the city's center on Sunday left more than 20 people dead and over 80 wounded. Bezuglaya claimed in a post on Telegram later in the day that those killed were Ukrainian servicemen. 'An appeal to [Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Aleksandr] Syrsky and separately to the commander of the Territorial Defense Forces: Do not gather the troops for award ceremonies, especially in civilian cities,' she wrote. The legislator, who used to be a member of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky's 'Servant of the People' party, also alleged that 'the Russians had information about the gathering.' 'Do not do roll calls. Do not stage award ceremonies,' she urged the military. READ MORE: Ukraine again 'unilaterally' attacks Russian energy infrastructure – MOD The Russian Defense Ministry did not mention a strike in Sumy during its daily bulletin on Sunday. Bezuglaya, 36, has repeatedly criticized Ukraine's senior military commanders since quitting Zelensky's party last February. In July 2024, she was blacklisted by the notorious Ukrainian website Mirotvorets, a semi-official database of perceived enemies of the state.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside the anger-fueled fight to shoot down exploding Russian drones with a truck-mounted .50 caliber machine gun
Business Insider visited a Ukrainian mobile air defense unit near Kyiv last week. The soldiers use truck-mounted machine guns to shoot down Russian drones packed with explosives. The Ukrainians said they are fueled by anger at Russia and a desire to protect their country. KYIV, Ukraine — The moment the air raid warning sounds, signaling a new Russian bombardment, the countdown starts. There are just 15 minutes on the clock. As quickly as they can, Oleksiy and his team of air defenders scramble out to their firing point, set up their heavy American-made machine guns, and get ready to start shooting down the Russian drones that have caused fear in Ukrainian cities and brought substantial destruction throughout the war. Once in position, they may be there for only an hour. On other occasions, they may be out for as many as 14 hours, sometimes through the night, waiting to gun down exploding drones. Only when the last one is down do they pack up and call it a night. Oleksiy is the deputy commander of a mobile air defense unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces. It is tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and civilians in a city on the outskirts of Kyiv, the country's capital city and a frequent target for Russian missile and drone strikes. Business Insider met with the unit last week and observed how it conducts operations. The soldiers, who asked to be identified by their first names only for security reasons, said their missions are fueled by a fury at Russia and a desire to protect their homeland. "We have ordinary people, not professional soldiers, who are united by the defense of their city and the defense of the state," said Oleksiy, who, like others in this story, spoke to BI through a translator. This air defense unit was set up by Oleksandr Markushyn, the mayor of Irpin, a city near Kyiv that saw intense fighting in the early days of the Russian invasion. The unit's seven members are on and off, reporting for duty early in the morning when their two-day shifts start. Their base has everything they need to rest and train for the missions. If the Russians launch an attack, an alarm goes off, sending the soldiers rushing to their trucks. They've got just minutes to get ready for the coming battle. The soldiers drive pickup trucks equipped with flashing lights to speed through traffic. However, they usually work at night, when there are fewer cars on the road. At their firing location, which could be in an open field, they remove the camouflage net from the .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun mounted in the bed of the truck. The net helps conceal the heavy, American-made weapon and allows the soldiers to transport it safely around the city. The soldiers carry assault rifles, pistols, body armor, radios, and other gear with them. They don't take much else. Sometimes, they drink coffee to stay alert through the long nights or eat a sandwich if they get hungry, but the mission is at the front of their minds, not the food or drink. "We are more angry than hungry," said one of the unit's soldiers, whose name is also Oleksiy. The soldiers use a spotlight that shines a bright and powerful beam of light into the night sky to help them spot the Russian drones, specifically the notorious Shahed-136, which can fly at speeds of over 115 mph and carry an explosive warhead that weighs nearly 90 pounds. They can also observe the drones through a thermal imaging device. The Russians often launch their Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. This forces the Ukrainian soldiers to rely on visual or acoustic detection; they listen for the drone's engine noise, which sounds like a lawnmower. "They fly very low, and so we need to watch very carefully," Oleksiy said. "It may be that we can stay in position all night. This happens very often." Shaheds are not easy aircraft to shoot down. A bullet can pierce the drone, but unless a critical part is struck, it may keep flying. However, hitting the drone could slow it down and make it easier for another air defense unit in another location to destroy. Oleksiy said it's frustrating to hit one but not kill it. He said he understands that knocking one down could create debris, but "if the drone reaches where it is aimed, there will probably be even more damage." He said that scoring a kill against a Shahed will often cause an explosion overhead that they can feel on the ground. "We will feel the shock wave, which can be very dangerous." Svitlana, who works the spotlight and monitors enemy targets on a tablet, said that the soldiers train with a simulator to use the Browning. In it, they can hone their skills and be ready to engage the drones in real scenarios. Every night is different. One night, the unit could battle dozens of Shaheds for hours. Other nights might be much quieter. It's tough to know what it'll be like. "When we are just waiting here in the field, we usually discuss some everyday topics, watch, and wait," Svitlana said. "For me, this is my contribution to our safety and our victory." When the air raid is finally over, the unit returns to base. There, they can replenish ammunition, refuel their trucks with gas, eat, and rest before the inevitable next mission. And there's always another. Britain's defense ministry said last month that Russia's drone launch rate of at least 2,000 a month will likely remain the case through the year. But the Ukrainian defenders believe they are up for the task. Oleksiy, the deputy commander, said half of his group had no prior combat experience before Russia's full-scale invasion. During their two days off, the soldiers go to their regular jobs; the other Oleksiy is a teacher at a high school, and Svitlana is a teacher's assistant. "The best part of the job is when there is a result — when air targets are shot down," Oleksiy said. "It means that they did not reach their target and we were able to protect our citizens. They have light, heat, and, most importantly, they are alive." Read the original article on Business Insider
