Russia's New Cheap Drones: A Game-Changer in Ukraine Conflict

Russia is deploying new, cost-effective drones to probe and map Ukraine's air defenses, filming damage and acting as decoys. These drones, made from foam plastic and plywood, reveal the locations of Ukraine's defense systems, posing a challenge for the nation as it seeks more air defenses from the West.

Russia has commenced using new, inexpensive drones in its long-range offensives against Ukraine, aiming to identify air defenses, document any damage, and act as decoys, a Ukrainian military intelligence official revealed.

In the past two to three weeks, Russia has employed two new drone models in five attacks, including a recent overnight strike. Made from materials such as foam plastic and plywood, one type features a camera and a Ukrainian mobile phone SIM card to relay images back to the Russian military.

'They locate our mobile groups and machine guns that could destroy them, aiming to map our air defenses,' stated Andriy Cherniak, a spokesperson for the military intelligence agency. These previously unreported insights suggest Russia is modifying its tactics and adopting new technologies to gain an upper hand in its daily missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian targets.

(With inputs from agencies.)