Russian Shahed-136 Drones Now Carry 198lb Warheads
- On May 20, 2025, Russian forces deployed upgraded Shahed-136 drones over Ukraine carrying 90-kilogram warheads with enhanced destructive power.
- This upgrade resulted from Russia trading drone range for a heavier warhead and integrating both Iranian designs and Russian explosive enhancements.
- The new warheads include cumulative, fragmentation, blast, and incendiary effects capable of igniting fires at 3,500 degrees Celsius using metal hydride powders, increasing threat to military targets and infrastructure.
- Military analysts like David Sharp note these heavier drones complicate interceptions, forcing Ukraine to adapt layered defenses combining sensors, jammers, and interceptors amid sustained high-tempo Russian drone attacks.
- This development expands Russia’s strike capabilities but pressures Ukraine to allocate more costly air defense resources while the ongoing conflict tests resilience and Western support sustainability.
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Ukraine: “Shahed” Drones Roar in the Sky, Explosions Shake the City
Despite Moscow's assurances of its interest in peace, Russia is launching vigorous attacks, including with Iranian-made drones. Impressions from Donetsk.
·Berlin, Germany
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Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution33% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
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- 33% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
33% Right
L 33%
C 33%
R 33%
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