Russia has used new, faster, more deadly and more difficult-to-detect drones in its latest attack on Kiev. They are a Russian modification of the Iranian Shahed-238, powered by jet engines, can reach speeds of 400 to 600 km/h. and rise to an altitude of up to 9 km. They are more difficult to detect and neutralize than the previously widespread Shahed-136 (or "Geran-2" in the Russian version).
"Their noise is different from the older versions. They fly so fast that not all of our systems can stop them. "In fact, radars sometimes mistake them for cruise missiles," says Col. Yuri Ignat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, quoted by the Kyiv Post.
Another expert notes that the new modification is significantly more expensive than standard Iranian combat drones. A regular Shahed costs about $200,000, while a jet-powered one can cost close to $1 million. "This is mainly due to the jet engine, which costs $50,000 or more," explains military expert Pavlo Narozhnyi.
The advanced combat aircraft likely mark a new phase in Russia's war against Ukraine: increasingly powerful and deadly air strikes with large numbers of drones, along with missiles of various types. This puts Ukrainian air defenses at the limit of their capabilities. even with the continued deliveries of Western anti-aircraft missile systems such as the American Patriot and the German IRIS-T.
Against this background, Washington's hardening tone towards Moscow - expressed in Donald Trump's ultimatum that an agreement should be reached to end the war by August 8 - sounds like wishful thinking. Which has no visible confirmation on the front. Or to put it another way: Russia continues to mercilessly attack Ukrainian cities and shows no sign of being ready for peace.
Meanwhile, the number of victims of the Russian shelling of the Ukrainian capital on July 31 has reached 31, including five children.