Russia attacks southern Ukraine with Iranian “kamikaze drones”

Kamikaze drones (also called suicide drones) purchased from Iran by Russia were used in at least two attacks against the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa last week. 

According to information from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the first attack took place last Friday (23). Eight Shahed-136 drones were used: six were reportedly intercepted, while the remaining two destroyed an istrative building, resulting in the death of a civilian. 

The next day Iranian drones again wreaked havoc on the city. According to the mayor of Odessa, Hennadii Trukhanov, a drone was shot down but another istrative building was hit at least three times, this time without casualties. 

Already on Sunday (26), Odessa was attacked by drones again. According to Ukraine's Southern Command, Russia would have used the same devices, this time at night. One drone was destroyed by anti-aircraft defense, while two others hit military buildings, detonating ammunition. There were no casualties and the evacuation of civilians was organised. 

In addition to the Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, the Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down and captured another unmanned aircraft, the Mohajer-6. Manufactured by Qods, the Mohajer-6 is a surveillance combat drone, much larger than the Shahed-136, capable of carrying at least four small missiles. 

Kamikaze-drones, also called “wandering munitions”, are cheap devices that can cause great damage to enemy infrastructure, replacing the use of a fighter plane or a helicopter and the possible loss of their crew. Precisely because they are cheap, Russia can afford to lose several in one attack.

The purchase of Iranian drones, munitions from North Korea and their subsequent use by Moscow in the Ukrainian campaign raises several questions about Russia's real capabilities.

In fact the conflict as a whole – which even the US and NATO thought would be a quick victory for Moscow – has shown that the Russians are far less capable than they appear.

Even though Ukraine is receiving massive military from Washington and its partners, Russia's numerical and technological superiority should not have allowed the conflict to drag on for seven months, with heavy casualties for both sides. Putin's latest order to call up 300 reservists, in addition to nuclear threats, also show that the conflict has gone far beyond what the Kremlin had hoped. 

So far there is no movement that shows a possible return of Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.  

With information The War Zone, aerotime.