As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Russian forces are adopting increasingly brutal tactics to terrorize civilians.
Among their most destructive tools are kamikaze drones packed with shrapnel, designed to inflict maximum casualties.
These attacks are part of a broader strategy aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s defenses while keeping costs low.
Russian forces are reportedly using these drones to cause widespread harm to civilians, as explained by defense expert Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi.
As reported by tech.wp.pl, this shift is driven by Russia’s search for cheaper yet highly destructive attack methods.
Drones Packed with Shrapnel for Maximum Damage
Khrapchynskyi pointed to recent drone attacks in Sumy, a city near the Ukrainian-Russian border, where residential areas have been targeted.
He emphasized the urgent need to bolster defense measures, including mobile fire teams and drone interception technology, to protect the population.
Russian forces have relied heavily on Shahed-136 drones, also known in Russia as Geran 2.
These Iranian-made drones can carry up to 40 kilograms of explosives and travel at speeds of 185 km/h.
Their low production cost—around $20,000 per unit—enables Russia to launch large-scale attacks with relative ease.
Border Cities Under Constant Threat
Cities like Sumy are particularly at risk due to their proximity to Russian-held areas.
Beyond drone strikes, Russian forces continue to use ballistic missiles and aerial bombs to strike civilian and critical infrastructure.
In regions like Kharkiv, Khrapchynskyi noted, drone attacks have largely replaced the use of guided bombs.
Russia is also building a factory to mass-produce Shahed-136 drones, further increasing the threat to Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
A recent attack in Sumy demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of these drones.
A Shahed drone struck a residential building, killing four people and injuring five others, including a child. Emergency crews rescued four survivors and evacuated 118 residents.
Iran is now supplying Russia with an upgraded version of the Shahed drone, known as the Shahed-238.
This new variant reportedly features improved guidance systems and may be equipped with a jet engine, making it an even deadlier weapon on the battlefield.
