Camilla Jessen
Here’s why they’re so dangerous — and the technologies being developed to stop them.
Iran is using Shahed drones alongside ballistic and cruise missiles in its attacks on Israel.
The same drones have been used by Russia to strike Ukrainian cities since 2022, often on a near-daily basis.
Massive Use in Ukraine and Beyond
According to United24 Media, Russia has heavily relied on Shahed drones throughout its war in Ukraine. In some cases, over 400 drones have been launched in a single night.
In just the first half of June 2025 alone, Russia deployed more than 2,000 Shaheds.
During spring 2025, the total number of drone attacks exceeded 10,000, and by mid-year, that number is expected to reach 20,000. This scale of drone warfare is unprecedented.
What Makes Shahed Drones So Dangerous?
With Iran now deploying these drones against Israel, the lessons learned from Ukraine have become even more relevant.
Shahed drones offer several key advantages:
Low Cost
Each Shahed drone costs approximately $50,000 to produce, making them relatively cheap compared to the much more expensive missiles or fighter jets typically used to intercept them.
Defensive missiles often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, allowing attackers to launch large numbers of drones and overwhelm air defenses.
Effective Payload
Shaheds carry warheads weighing up to 90 kg, with about 62 kg consisting of actual explosives.
While smaller than many missiles, this payload is still powerful enough to cause severe damage, especially to civilian infrastructure such as power plants.
Adaptability and Range
Russia has continually adapted its use of Shaheds — altering launch patterns, flight paths, and even drone designs to better evade defenses.
Shaheds can fly up to 2,500 kilometers and remain airborne for over 10 hours, giving attackers significant flexibility to strike at the most vulnerable times.
Tactical Impact
Shahed drones are highly effective at terrorizing civilian populations, keeping residents under constant threat and psychological strain.
Iranian instructors have reportedly worked alongside Russian forces, gaining operational experience with Shahed drones that could now be applied in the conflict with Israel.
How to Stop Shahed Drones
Ukraine has invested heavily in multiple defense systems to counter Shahed drone attacks.
One way is to use interceptor drones. These new drones can pursue and destroy Shaheds mid-air, providing a flexible and mobile defense capability.
Electronic Warfare (EW)
Electronic warfare systems can jam and disrupt the drones’ navigation and communication signals, causing many to crash or miss their targets.
AI-Powered Defense Systems
Advanced systems like Sky Sentinel use artificial intelligence to detect and neutralize drones, even utilizing conventional machine guns to shoot them down.
Laser Weapons
Ukraine is also developing laser-based systems, which may provide a more cost-effective and efficient way to shoot down drones without depleting expensive missile stockpiles.
Shahed drones are not designed to destroy military bases or industrial sites. Instead, they are primarily used to target civilian areas and spread fear.