Ukraine’s capital was under attack by Kamikaze drones on Monday, wreaking severe havoc in residential and commercial areas. Read to know more about Russia’s new offense strategy.
What are the Kamikaze drones?
Kyiv was attacked by a fleet of Kamikaze drones on Monday morning. However, casualty details from the event are currently unknown. In just a week’s time, Russia has unleashed them twice. Their name is derived from Japan’s World War II attack tactic. Back in WWII, pilots would fly fighter planes filled with explosives and crash into enemies targeted in a suicide mission. Similarly, these modern-day drones are destroyed after the strike. They hover around the target in a “loitering munition” and attack once it is located.
“These drones are quite slow, but they also carry a powerful charge, so a hit from them is equivalent to a hit from a missile,” explained a Ukrainian military officer. The Shaded drones are a part of low and slow flying propelled missiles and contain commercial GPS systems. Even if they are shot down by the other side before hitting the target, the drone’s shrapnel can hit and injure civilians.
More on Russia’s moves
As per US reports, Russia obtained 1,000 Kamikaze drones from Iran in August. The Russians are aiming to employ drones in swarms and destroy Kyiv’s anti-aircraft batteries. This may give Russia an air superiority that they lacked so far. However, they are likely vulnerable to traditional anti-aircraft cannons and electronic jamming.
However, for Ukraine, it is difficult to decide on a location to place its air defenses. The Shahed drones can fly for a few hundred kilometers in addition to loitering for hours before closing in on a target. “All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. The enemy can attack our cities but it won’t be able to break us,” stated President Zelensky.