Russia unveils new upgraded kamikaze drone for Ukraine strikes

Russian forces are continuously developing the Shahed-136 drone arsenal, known in Russia as Geran-2, for coordinated attacks on Ukraine. During a recent attack on January 18, 2025, Ukrainian air defense shot down an entirely new variant of this drone. This is the fourth version, designated as series Ъ.

In the photo shared by Defense Express, the drone is marked with Ъ and has a serial number exceeding 200, suggesting that over 200 units of this type have already been produced. There is no additional information about this new variant.

Currently, most Shahed drones sent by Russia to Ukraine are marked as series Ы. At the end of December, one of them had the serial number "Ы 11934", suggesting that Russia may have achieved a monthly production of 2,000 Shaheds and produced approximately 10,000 in 2024.

The discovery of the series Ъ signifies the fourth known variant of Shahed-136/131. Earlier versions include series M, followed by the upgraded Ы and K, with many components manufactured in Russia. It is unknown what modifications were introduced in version Ъ.

Since their first appearance on the Ukrainian front, the Russian military industry has improved all versions. Since the fall of 2024, the Russians have been systematically equipping Shaheds with thermobaric warheads, Starlink terminals, and updated satellite navigation modules.

It is worth noting that Shahed-136 drones are known for their simple design and relatively low production costs. According to available information, the unit price of these unmanned aerial vehicles is about $20,000. These devices have a distinctive open-wing delta shape. They reach a length of approximately 11 feet, with a wingspan of 8 feet. They can carry combat loads weighing up to 88 pounds. The Limbach L550E engine used in them allows them to reach a maximum speed of about 115 mph. This specification makes them effective in various military applications.