Ukraine harvests jammed Russia's 'kamikaze' drones, including upgraded versions

Defense Express reported the information.

Despite Russia’s continuous attempts to modernize its Shahed drones, Ukraine’s Defense Forces demonstrate near-perfect effectiveness in countering them. Not all “locationally lost” drones are merely decoys—many are genuine enemy targets neutralized by Ukrainian defenders.

Reports from Ukraine’s Air Force regularly list drones that were intercepted but lost track of, showcasing the defenders’ skill. For instance, on the night of February 20, out of 161 Russian drones, 80 were shot down and 78 were lost, meaning only three managed to bypass defenses.

Recently, videos have surfaced online showing intact Russian Shahed drones found on frozen reservoirs without visible signs of damage from air defense systems. One of these was discovered on the Kyiv Reservoir. Notably, these drones belong to the “KC” series, as indicated by their carbon-coated propellers and specific engine configurations, distinguishing them from other variants produced in Russia.

Russian-made Shahed drones bear different markings depending on their manufacturing site. Models with “Ы” and “Ъ” serial numbers originate from the Alabuga facility, whereas those labeled “K,” “KB,” or “KC” are produced at the Kupol plant in Izhevsk, known for its higher manufacturing standards.

Defense Express also obtained exclusive footage of another Shahed drone found intact on a Ukrainian reservoir, showing no signs of being downed by missiles or gunfire. This suggests it was likely neutralized using electronic warfare (EW) systems.

Interestingly, within the same batch of drones deployed by Russia, variations in engine manufacturers can be observed, highlighting inconsistencies in production. Additionally, reports indicate that Russia has been incorporating new satellite navigation antennas, including domestically produced 12-channel systems and 8-channel models of Chinese origin.

Despite Russia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its Shahed drones, Ukraine’s official statistics confirm that its defenders have achieved an interception rate close to 100%. This success is not solely due to direct strikes but also through advanced countermeasures that allow for intelligence gathering, analysis of enemy technological developments, and further refinement of defensive strategies.