Russian Armed Forces personnel have begun using a new type of kamikaze drone (loitering munition) that visually resembles Iranian Shahed drones. This was reported by military expert Dylan Malyasov in Defence blog, citing sources.
The new drone is smaller in size and designed to strike at short ranges. According to Malyasov, the UAVs are equipped with a video camera.
It is likely that the new Russian strike platform will have two versions: a reconnaissance version and a strike version with a payload of up to 15 kg.
The creation of small UAVs similar to Shahed indicates Russia's diversification of its arsenal of loitering munitions to adapt to enemy air defense systems.
Unlike the long-range Shahed-136, which was used for large-scale strikes, smaller UAVs are likely intended to gain a tactical advantage.
As a reminder, the West believes that Russia created the Geran strike UAVs based on Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones.
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