Moscow 'almost certainly' begun using Russian-made kamikaze drones in Ukraine, MOD says

Russia has "almost certainly" started to use domestically made kamikaze drones, based on Iran's Shahed designs, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

In the latest defence update, the MOD said the Russian military has been importing Iran's Shahed Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (OWA-UAVs) since September 2022.

"Indigenous manufacturing will likely allow Russia to establish a more reliable supply of OWA-UAVs," the MOD said.

• Drone boats 'major component' of modern warfare as Ukraine targets Russian ships
• Defence expert believes drone strikes on Moscow 'weakens' Putin's image
• Watch: Ukraine's highly mobile air defence units shoot down waves of Shahed drones sent by Russia

"The performance of these weapons has been variable and Ukraine has proved effective in neutralising the majority of incoming OWA-UAVs.

"Russia likely aims for self-sufficiency in OWA-UAVs in the coming months. 

"However, in the interim, Russia remains reliant on components and whole weapons from Iran, primarily shipped via the Caspian Sea."

In a previous update, the MOD said Iran was likely helping Russia build its own kamikaze drones.

The MOD said Iran was breaching UN security council resolutions by helping Russia to build more suicide attack drones.

The Iranian-made Shahed-136 is more of a loitering munition than a drone but has often been referred to as a suicide or Kamikaze drone.

It is not just Russia using kamikaze drones, with Ukraine appearing to be showing off its success with Combat FPV Kamikaze drones.

Attacks by the Army's 59th Motorized Brigade destroyed equipment in villages in the Donetsk region.

It comes after an expert told Forces News Ukrainian forces could make "rapid and dramatic" gains in their counter-offensive if they manage to breach Russian defences.

The Ukrainian military is continuing to attack on a number of fronts.

Steven Horrell, who is studying the conflict for the Washington-based think-tank Center for European Policy Analysis, said if Kyiv forces can break through Russian defences then Ukraine's advance could "very quickly accelerate".  

"Ukraine could roll up behind them [Russian troops] in multiple directions if you get one of those breakthroughs," Mr Horrell told Forces News.