Iranian drone spotted in Crimea points to Russian military concerns
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The daily intelligence update included a satellite photo showing the Mohajer-6 drone at the Saki Airport, accompanied by a ground control station.
It was explained that the Mohajer-6, observed over the Black Sea and Crimea, is an unmanned aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance. It can also conduct attacks on ground targets using guided missiles. Its operational range is limited to the line of sight of the real-time operator, which is around 200 kilometres at an altitude of roughly 3,000 metres, but this can be extended by transferring control to the next ground control station.
Russia tries to identify threats
"The constant presence of the system in the western part of Crimea is likely evidence that Russia, following recent Ukrainian successes, is attempting to identify threats to Russian ports and fleets. It is realistically possible that its mission also includes aiding Russia in targeting on the southeastern coast of Ukraine," it was assessed.
It was also reported that Ukraine shot down at least one Mohajer-6 on September 23, 2022, over the Black Sea, and that Russia likely accidentally shot down such a system over Crimea on June 6, 2023.
