Russia Launches 2,500 Jet-Powered Shaheds in August as Ukraine Struggles to Intercept Faster Drones
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Sep 1
Russia Launches 2,500 Jet-Powered Shaheds in August as Ukraine Struggles to Intercept Faster Drones
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Sep 1
Summary
More than 2,500 jet-powered Shahed drones hit Ukraine in August, up from 1,500 in July, according to drone expert Serhii Beskrestnov, after Russia had already quintupled such attacks in July from June.
Russia has shifted toward turbojet Geran-3 and Geran-4 variants because Ukraine was reportedly downing about 90% of older propeller-driven Shaheds by early 2026.
The newer drones fly around 200 mph or faster and as high as 30,000 feet, putting them beyond the reach of many Ukrainian interceptor drones, machine-gun teams and shoulder-fired air defenses.
Jet-powered Shaheds now make up as much as two-thirds of Russia's long-range strikes, Ukrainian officials said, with Zelenskyy reporting 800 launched in four days and saying four companies are developing new interceptors.
Ukraine is also facing the S8000 Banderol, a low-cost jet-powered hybrid weapon that can exceed 400 mph and carry a 114-kg warhead over 300 miles.