There are 4 times more "Shakheds": how do the factories of the Russian Federation work and whether the air defense of Ukraine has time, — Sky News

Despite the increase in the number of Shaheds launched by the Russians at Ukrainians, the air defense system of the Armed Forces manages to intercept them before they hit the target, Sky News reports. The media investigated the specifics of the Russian attacks, using the analytics of the CSIS center and the UN, and sent a journalist to Ukraine who worked with the crew of the 3rd OSHBr of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The article explained that Shaheds, which cost up to 50,000 dollars, are too many to shoot down with anti-aircraft missiles for 100,000 dollars each. per unit For these reasons, Ukraine uses cheaper methods of struggle, which have proven their effectiveness. A representative of Sky News met with the fighters of 3 separate assault brigades, who showed him a new method of shooting down the Shaheds. The group worked near the front line, near Izyum.

A weapon that effectively destroys kamikaze drones is the Sting anti-aircraft drone. "Sting" is a cylindrical drone with four propellers, flies at a speed of up to 280 km/h, carries 600 grams of explosives. The means of destruction was launched while simultaneously following the Russian drone, which is visible on the thermal imager: it was detonated when descending to 350 m. It is clarified that it was "Shakhed", and not the Russian analogue of "Gerber", the article states.

The "Bird" pilot explained that he invented a special hunting tactic: he does not go head-on, but enters from behind. In addition, the interceptors are launched when the Russian UAVs are at a distance of 4-10 km. The media published data from the CSIS analytical center on the number of Shaheds launched by the Russian Armed Forces from 2022 to October 2025, and on the effectiveness of the air defense systems of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The analysts' infographic shows: The article also cited UN data on the number of civilians who died from the Shahed strikes. It turned out that the international organization started counting only in 2025: 494 people died, the most in April, June, July. It should be noted that on October 24, Ukrainian military Serhii Beskrestnov told "Flash" about the peculiarities of "Shakheds" with which the Russian Federation attacks Ukraine.