Iran modifies its drones to cause maximum damage to Ukraine's infrastructure

This is reported by CNN.

“An unexploded warhead from an Iranian Shahed-131 drone found in the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa in October 2022 was examined last month by the UK-based investigative organization Conflict Armament Research, along with the Ukrainian military. The composition of the warhead helps explain how Russia’s onslaught on Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the last several months has proven so effective,” the publication wrote. 

Analysts believe that the warheads, which are just under two feet long, were modified with poorly matched layers of dozens of small metal fragments that scatter with a large radius upon impact. In addition to the debris, there are 18 smaller charges around the warhead, which, when melted by a blast wave, can penetrate armor and create a 360-degree explosive effect. The accumulation of these elements significantly increases the warhead's ability to destroy targets such as power plants, distribution networks, power lines, and large transformers. They also significantly complicate repair work.

The expert told reporters that warheads intended for military targets, such as tanks or artillery guns, are designed differently and are not designed for a long range, unlike those that Russia has launched at civilian targets.

“There had been a lot of speculation that perhaps these explosives were very crude, cheap and simple. But looking at the warhead, it is clear that a lot of thought has been put into making sure that it can inflict as much damage as possible to infrastructure in a large radius,”  said Damien Spleeters, one of the investigators who examined the warhead.