Russia continues to use Shahed-136 drones to strike targets in Ukraine, says UK

However, Kyiv's efforts to defeat the Shahed-136 UAVs are becoming ‘increasingly successful,’ the British defence ministry also said.

Updated on: Oct 24, 2022, 11:30:47 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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In its latest update on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom said on Monday the Kremlin continues to use the Iranian-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike targets inside the Ukrainian territory.

Russia-Ukraine War: Firefighters work after a drone attack on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP)

Also Read: Power cuts hit Ukraine's capital Kyiv as Russia pummels energy grid

“However, Ukrainian efforts to defeat the Shahed-136 UAVs are increasingly successful, with official sources, including President Zelensky, claiming that up to 85% of the attacks are being intercepted,” the UK’s defence ministry said in a tweet.

The Shahed-136 drones are slow, noisy, and fly at low altitudes, thus making ‘lone aircraft easy to target conventional air defences,’ the ministry added.

Also Read: Ukraine arrests one of its 'richest men' over Russia links

Describing Ukraine’s air defence systems as ‘increasingly effective,’ the Defence HQ further said Moscow is using these drones as a substitute for the Russian-made long-range precision weapons which are becoming increasingly scarce.

The Shahed-136 UAVs are also sometimes known as ‘kamikaze’ drones. In the ongoing war, these were first used by the Kremlin in a strike on central Kyiv on October 17, days after an explosion hit the Kerch Bridge which connects Russia to Crimea.

Also Read: G7 condemns Russia's kidnapping of Ukraine nuclear plant leadership

Moscow accuses Kyiv of carrying out the explosion.

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