Russia appears to be cutting costs in its ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Anatoliy Chrapchynski, an aviation expert and deputy director of an electronic warfare equipment firm.
Confusing Ukrainian Air Defenses
Chrapchynski points out that Russia has increased its use of assault drones, particularly the Iranian-made Shahed drones and similar, cheaper models, as an economical alternative to missile strikes.
"Russia has the ability to launch cruise missiles, but instead, it’s using Shaheds and creating simulated targets to confuse Ukrainian air defenses," Chrapchynski explains.
This, he argues, signals Russia's move to economize. He further notes that deploying strategic bombers with long-range missiles is far more expensive and is likely being reserved for potential escalations.
Conserving Resources
Chrapchynski suggests that conserving resources could be part of Russia’s long-term strategy.
"Russia may need to conserve these assets if the conflict escalates, requiring strikes on the U.S. or Europe," he adds, pointing to Russia's focus on targeting what they refer to as "decision centers."
This approach, he argues, has led to a notable increase in the use of Shahed attack drones — and even lower-cost plywood drones.
The Shahed-136 drones, known in Russia as Geran-2, are equipped with an engine modeled after Germany's Limbach L550E, rebranded as Mado MD550.
This 50-horsepower engine allows the drones to reach speeds of about 185 km/h. With a range of up to 2,000 km, the Shaheds can strike far-off targets.
The drones measure approximately 3.5 meters in length with a 2.5-meter wingspan and weigh about 200 kg, carrying a warhead of up to 40 kg.
Some Shahed models used by Russia now include Kometa receivers, which reduce interference from Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems.
This modification helps the drones maintain their effectiveness, even as Ukraine ramps up its defenses.
