Russia continues massive Shahed drone strikes on Ukraine despite peace talks. Ukraine has been striking the Shahed production network to disrupt Russian drone operations.
Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia has continued to launch drone strikes against Ukraine, including massive barrages on August 18 and 20 that sent hundreds of drones at targets across the country. These strikes consist of Geran and Gerbera drones, better known as “Shaheds” after the Iranian model they copy. Over the past three years, Shaheds have become a serious threat as Russia increasingly uses them to hit Ukrainian infrastructure and defensive positions. Ukraine has invested heavily in air defenses and jamming systems, but these measures are proving less effective. As a result, Ukraine has expanded its strategy to include strikes on Russian facilities tied to the production and deployment of Shahed drones.Recent Ukrainian Strikes Against the Shahed Drone Network
Operation Spider’s Web was Ukraine’s most high-profile drone strike this summer, but it was only one of many attacks deep inside Russia. With advances in long-range drone capabilities, Ukraine has struck oil refineries and other key infrastructure across the country. More importantly, it has focused on facilities involved in the deployment, storage, and production of Shahed drones.
As early as summer 2024, Ukraine began striking airfields used to store and deploy Shahed drones. Because of their limited range, these drones must be based close to Ukraine, leaving the airfields within reach of Ukrainian drones. In June and July 2024, Ukraine hit Shahed-related facilities on airfields in Crimea and Krasnodar Krai, causing limited damage. While drones on the ground are easier to target than airborne ones, hardened and dispersed facilities limit the overall impact of such strikes. Through 2024 and into 2025, Ukraine continued to target airfields in these regions linked to Shahed operations. In recent months, however, these strikes have intensified, often using multiple drones to hit and destroy warehouses used for drone storage.
Over the past year, Ukraine has expanded its strike drone capabilities, with the Liutyi drone now able to hit targets up to 2,000 kilometers away.
