Ukraine destroys Russian drone assembly facility, revealing unusual modifications to Shahed UAVs

Defense Express writes about it.

Ukraine’s HUR confirmed the successful destruction of the facility, located in Tatarstan, where Shahed-136 drones are assembled. The attack reportedly targeted 65 drone fuselages, engines, navigation systems, and thermal imaging cameras.

An overlooked detail in the HUR’s statement is the presence of thermal imaging cameras — an unusual addition for Shahed-136 drones, which typically lack such equipment. These cameras suggest potential modifications to enhance the drones’ capabilities, experts noted.

Leaked documents from January 2024 had already revealed plans for a new Shahed variant, the MS-236, equipped with electro-optical homing systems. Russian media even showcased a prototype during Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Special Technological Center in St. Petersburg in September.

Adding a homing system could allow Shahed drones to adjust their course mid-flight. Such upgrades would enable targeting beyond preset coordinates, with operators guiding the drone in real-time, analysts said. However, this requires interference-resistant communication, such as 4G modems or satellite systems like Starlink — one of which was shot down earlier this year.

The thermal cameras could also aid in countering jamming of satellite navigation by enabling operators to visually identify and adjust targets. Alternatively, they might support automatic navigation or “machine vision,” increasing precision without operator input.

Whether these components were intended for frontline strikes, infrastructure targeting, or counter-drone systems remains unclear. However, the destruction of the warehouse has dealt a significant blow to Russian plans for advancing their drone technology.