Shahda-238 first attacked Kiev: what is known about jet UAVs and whether Ukraine is able to knock them down

On the night of July 31, 2025, Russia made a combined attack on Kiev, using missiles and drones. One of the ammunition was hit in a high -rise building in the Svyatoshinsky district, completely destroying the entrance. Interior Minister Igor Klimenko reported that Svyatoshinsky and Solomian districts were most affected. Rescuers, police, top, and engineering equipment work on the site of the tragedy. The police protect the perimeter and document the next military crime of Russia.

The head of the KMVA Timur Tkachenko noted that more than 27 locations in Svyatoshinsky, Solomenskiy, Shevchenkivsky and Holosiivsky districts were damaged. The Interior Minister also reported that Kyiv, along with the usual shock drones, attacked the shames jet. He noted that the drones went to Kyiv from different sides, after which she followed the rocket attack.

According to Aviation Expert Konstantin Krivolap, the so-called jet "geranium", this is a copy of the Shahd-238 drone, which is similar in size to Shahd-136. But this sample is distinguished by its aerodynamics and speed, which, according to estimates, can reach 400-450 km/h at a maximum. This is much faster than ordinary shamed piston, which creates new challenges for air defense systems (air defense).

Such drones are able to maneuver at different heights - from large to small, which complicates their detection and destruction. The President of the Ukrainian Aviation Association of Pilots and AOPA Ukraine Aircraft owners, Aviation expert Gennady Khazan, said that the range of such "Shahamed" is 500-600 km in line. Its flight height is up to 9 km, but it can optimally fly at a height of 2 km.

"This gives reason to believe that when you perform flight and in intensive maneuvering by the course, the range will decrease. Military expert Pavel Nazhny says that this reactive "Shahaned" contains a fighting part of up to 50 kg, which is much smaller. This makes them more valuable than regular "chess" with internal combustion engines. The jet engine costs from $ 50 thousand. And above, whereas the internal combustion engine - only $ 2-3 thousand.

According to the correspondent, a Russian officer stolen from the Russian officer, the ordinary "Shahaned" costs about $ 200,000, while the reactive one is already within a million. "Mass production could reduce the price, but the main obstacle remains a limited number of jet engines. Iran is capable of manufacturing them, but they are more often used in winged rockets. It is suggested that engines can be purchased in China, although there are no more than a few tens of reactive.

- adds the focus of the people. According to Konstantin Krivolap, the difficulty of beating the reactive "Shahaned" is that it operates with the usual piston Shahd-136. Shakhda porch is flying at speeds that are uncomfortable for fighters. For example, at a speed of 400 km/h fighter jets (such as F-16, "mirage" or MiG-29) can effectively attack them, as it allows pilots to act without the risk of dispensing. Wing streaming, which increases the risk of aircraft or even the pilot. Focus expert.

According to Krivolap, there is currently no clear concept of fight against Shahaneda in Ukraine. The military does not know who and what means are responsible for the destruction of drones, especially jet models. "If for the winged or ballistic missiles, the responsibility of the air defense is clear, then in the case of drones of this type, the responsibility of the blur. Drones are often entrusted to anyone who has any means. This indicates a lack of coordinated strategy.

The problem is exacerbated by the lack of a clear distribution of responsibility zones. For example, intelligence. landfills or army units do not have the necessary equipment or preparation for efficient response, "Krivolap says. Pavel Narozhny notes that the shames reactive "Shahda" creates serious difficulties for air defense systems. Their speed of 500 km/h makes it impossible to use mobile firing groups with machine guns, helicopters or light -motor aircraft for intercepting.

In addition, these drones can move at low altitudes, which complicates their detection and destruction of anti -aircraft systems such as Gepard. The speed and low height make them almost elusive for such means. Fighters such as MiG-29, F-16 and Miraage 2000 and anti-aircraft missile complexes remain the only effective means. "However, the use of these funds is expensive. For example, a rocket for MAZRC costs from $ 100,000. The cost of a missile for SPRs is also hundreds of thousands of dollars.

One F-16 departure, given fuel, maintenance and depreciation, costs tens of thousands of dollars," the expert added. According to the wealthy, the shames are often used not for the task of direct strokes, but for depletion of the air defense, forcing expensive resources to waste their destruction. Military expert Roman Svitan believes that the most effective method is to use the Anti -Racket with thermal or radar heads of homing to the destruction of reactive "shahas".

"The drone reactive engine leaves a distinct thermal trail, which makes it vulnerable to missiles with thermal heads. For example, the Soviet P-73 missile or modern analogues such as American AIM-9 or British Asraam can effectively affect these goals. Britain has given Ukraine-like launches. Also, according to the expert, jet drones can be beaten with fighters. The use of fighters is appropriate because the interception tactics are similar to the fight against winged missiles.