Russian Shaheds have entered a new phase in their war against Ukraine.

Made based on Iranian blueprints and modified in Russia, Shahed strike drones have become the primary weapon of Russian terror being used against Ukrainian civilians. Since the start of 2025, Russia has conducted over 1,000 drone attacks each week. On June 8 alone, the aggressor state launched 479 drones. These attacks are often combined with missile strikes, overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia mass-produces Shaheds at factories in Tatarstan and Izhevsk. Despite their low cost (between $50,000 and $80,000), the Shahed can cause millions in damages by destroying infrastructure and killing civilians. Meanwhile, each drone interception costs Ukrainian air defense significantly more, making Shaheds an extremely effective Russian weapon.

To combat this, Ukraine is forming units that are specialized in intercepting Shaheds. The new Ukrainian UAVs, which cost around $5,000 to $6,000, can track and destroy targets a safe distance away from populated areas.

However, Russia continues to ramp up its Shahed production and upgrade its modifications to surpass air defenses and inflict more damage.