Russia Triples Effectiveness of Shahed Drone Strikes on Ukraine – FT
Russia has significantly intensified its use of Iranian-designed Shahed (Geran) kamikaze drones in attacks against Ukraine, adopting a "swarm" strategy that increasingly overwhelms Ukrainian air defenses.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Financial Times.
The success rate of these drones has tripled in recent months, with 15% now reaching their targets – up from just 5% earlier this year.
Data from Ukraine’s Air Force show that between April and June 2025, one in seven of the explosive-laden drones successfully penetrated the country’s layered air defense systems.
Analysts say this jump in effectiveness is largely due to technological upgrades by Russia.
Newer models, including the Geran-3, now feature turbojet engines that allow them to fly faster and at higher altitudes, complicating interception by mobile units and conventional weapons.
Compounding the challenge, Russia increasingly coordinates drone strikes with barrages of cruise and ballistic missiles to confuse and saturate Ukraine’s defenses.
On July 9, Ukrainian authorities recorded a record-breaking assault involving 728 Shahed drones and decoys, in addition to seven Iskander and six Kinzhal missiles.
Despite the growing sophistication of Russia’s aerial tactics, Ukraine continues to adapt. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces are downing “dozens” of drones in each wave using domestically developed interceptors.
Ukraine's defense firms are racing to develop drone interceptors capable of neutralizing Shaheds at altitudes up to 6 km and speeds over 200 km/h.
However, the country still faces a critical shortage of interceptor missiles for its Patriot systems, which are considered vital in combating faster, high-altitude threats.
Ukraine's military intelligence agency (GUR) estimates that Russia currently produces approximately 170 Shahed drones per day and is on track to increase that number to 190 daily by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that nighttime drone assaults have been rising by an average of 31% per month through June and July. If the trend continues, Russia may be capable of launching up to 2,000 drones per night by November.
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