Russian drone assault thwarted by Ukrainian air defense

The Ukrainian air defence successfully neutralised 88 of 132 drones used by Russian forces to attack Ukraine during the night from 28 to 29 November, according to information provided by the Ukrainian air forces. Approximately 40 drones lost communication due to using advanced electronic warfare measures effectively.

"The enemy attacked Ukraine with 132 Shahed-type strike drones and unidentified drones from the directions of Oryol, Millerovo, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia," stated a Telegram message. Air defence systems shot down the drones in the following regions: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa.

41 unmanned aerial vehicles lost communication due to electronic warfare measures applied by the Defence Forces, and one returned to Russia. As a result of the Russian attack, infrastructure, cars, and residential buildings were damaged in several regions of Ukraine. Assistance is being provided to those affected.

Due to their advanced technical parameters, shahed drones play a crucial role in the military context. The Shahed-136, also known as Geran-2, used by Russia, can reach up to 185 km/h with a range of about 2,000 kilometres, thanks to the Limbach L550E engine. The use of inexpensive components enhances their efficiency and frequency of use.

The modern Shahed-238 introduces significant changes. Thanks to a jet engine and advanced guidance systems, it offers greater speed and a range of 2,500 kilometres. It differentiates itself through radar and infrared guidance systems, making it more effective. Additionally, its matte black finish may complicate detection by air defence systems, increasing potential threats.