164 stories found
Explosions and a major fire were reported at the Hvardiiske military airbase in temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of August 6-7, an airbase reportedly used by Russia to launch Shahed drones.
A travel diary describes the contrasting sounds of war in Ukraine, from techno raves in Kyiv to the constant presence of sirens and Shahed drones near the front lines in Kharkiv.
A Russian ballistic missile strike on a private training ground near Kyiv, where a defense event was taking place, resulted in 10 deaths and approximately 100 injuries. Ukraine has launched an investigation into the deadly attack.
SkyFall has presented its new P1-SUN JetKiller interceptor, designed specifically to destroy Russian jet-powered Shahed attack drones.
Ukraine has successfully tested a laser air defense system and is expanding its capabilities for intercepting Shahed drones. The country is also actively developing new defense technologies to enhance its aerial protection.
Ukrainian law enforcement is investigating a scheme involving the supply of Ukrainian barley to Iran, violating trade restrictions. Investigators suspect these shipments may have been part of Russia's payments for Shahed drones.
Russian Shahed drones struck Mykolaiv again, resulting in one fatality and one injury. A transport company was also damaged in the attack.
Ukraine's commander in chief stated that Russia intends to significantly ramp up production of its turbojet Shahed drones, aiming for them to constitute 50% of its long-range attacks.
Ukrainian intelligence indicates that Russia has ordered over 100,000 Shahed drones of various types this year, according to Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate.
A new facility near Riyadh is reportedly planned for the manufacturing of long-range attack drones, a joint venture between American firm Vector Defense and Saudi startup SR2 Defense Systems, inspired by Iran's Shahed drones.
A Ukrainian presidential advisor stated that Ukraine's defense systems can shoot down 97% of incoming Shahed drones, highlighting the country's effective counter-drone technology developed during the war.
A Russian ballistic missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Pryluky has reportedly killed two people and injured 17 others. This incident is part of ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine.
British jets are set to receive new anti-drone missile systems, offering a more cost-effective method to intercept threats such as Iran's Shahed drones used in the Middle East.
Hundreds of Russian Shahed drones are now reportedly descending on Ukraine during daytime hours, signaling a new and evolving kind of warfare tactic.
Dutch firm Robin Radar, a producer of drone detection systems, is applying lessons learned from combating Russian Shahed drones to enhance defenses against Iranian drone threats in the Middle East.
An aging Antonov An-28 passenger aircraft has been transformed into a platform for hunting Shahed drones, equipped with Gatling guns and drone launchers, utilizing tactics reminiscent of World War I.
Approximately 20 Shahed drones exploded over the city of Ternopil, Ukraine, resulting in 10 reported injuries after more than 50 drones were detected.
Russia is revolutionizing air attacks with AI and jet-powered Shahed drones, while Ukraine responds by building an innovative multi-layered defense system to counter these threats.
Ukraine has made significant progress in defending against Russian kamikaze drones, specifically Iranian Shaheds, and is now looking to share its expertise with allies and Gulf states.
An advisor to Ukraine's defense minister reported that approximately 20% of Shahed-type attack drones used by Russia are equipped with real-time (online) control capabilities, operated via networks from Russian territory.
The US Army is rapidly acquiring thousands of inexpensive interceptor drones, costing $15,000 each, to counter Iranian Shahed drones, with the Merops system already deployed in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Ukrainian interceptor drones are being deployed across Eurasia and are now shooting down Iranian Shahed drones, with Ukrainian specialists also assisting five Gulf states in countering these threats.
President Zelensky has confirmed that Ukrainian forces provided assistance in intercepting Shahed drones in the Middle East region.
Russian grain ship believed sunk in Ukrainian drone attack is found and towed to shore, TASS says The Straits Times
A Russian drone attack on a market in Nikopol, Ukraine, resulted in five fatalities and 19 injuries, including a 14-year-old girl. Ukrainian authorities have condemned the incident as another war crime.
Why U.S. Gatling Guns Are Not Stopping Iran’s Shahed Drones Forbes
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled for the first British state visit to the USA since 2007 in late April, with King Charles III invited to address the US Congress. A meeting with Prince Harry in his adopted home is reportedly unlikely, despite speculation surrounding the royal couple's trip to the White House.
US allies are showing keen interest in Ukraine's low-cost counter-drone technology, driven by recent drone attacks in the Middle East, as they seek effective ways to combat threats like the Shahed drones.
Ukraine's inexpensive and fast Sting interceptor drone is reportedly changing air defense rules, offering a readily available and effective solution against thousands of Russian Shahed drones.
Ukrainian-made interception drones have garnered international interest, particularly after Gulf countries sought Kyiv's assistance in shooting down Iranian Shahed drones. Now, German company Quantum Systems is building 15,000 'Arrow' interception drones in Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure from Shahed attacks, with potential for future exports.
A Ukrainian diplomat has called for Western support to attack Russian drone factories, which Ukraine considers legitimate targets. This comes after Moscow allegedly sent modernized Shahed drones to Iran.
Ukrainian drone interception units deployed in five Middle Eastern countries have successfully shot down several Iranian Shahed drones for the first time, using their own domestically produced unmanned aircraft.
An analysis compares the effectiveness and strategic implications of America's LUCAS drones against Iran's Shahed drones in the ongoing Middle East conflict, examining which system holds an advantage in the battle of cheap drone technology.
Exported from Iran to Russia and then locally produced under license, the suicide drone has been enhanced with Russian navigation and jamming technologies, similar to some missiles used by Iran in…
Ukraine's government and local drone manufacturers confirm that the US and its allies are seeking their assistance to counter Iranian Shahed drones, with Kiev offering the STING interceptor drone as a solution, a technology also desired by Gulf countries for defense against Iranian attacks.
High consumption of MICA air-to-air missiles, used by French pilots on Rafale aircraft to intercept Iranian Shahed drones over the United Arab Emirates, is creating serious tensions in...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his accusation that Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones, stating it is '100% facts' that Iran has used them in attacks on American bases in the Middle East, a claim also reported in German liveblogs. Zelenskyy further specified that these Shahed drones supplied by Russia to Iran contain Russian components.
Air cargo prices are skyrocketing due to disruptions in key shipping lanes caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This has forced many carriers to reroute their vessels, leading to longer transit times and increased operational costs, which are then passed on to consumers.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced that the initial Shahed drones used in attacks on Ukraine were launched by Iranian operators, not Russians, indicating direct Iranian involvement.
US says its firepower will ‘surge dramatically’ and IDF warns of ‘surprises ahead’, as Iran launches retaliatory strikes Middle East crisis – live updates Israel and the US have bombarded Iran and…
A British F-35 pilot made history by downing the first targets in combat over Jordan, intercepting two Shahed drones detected by radar during a four-hour flight alongside two Typhoon jets.
While major armies spend millions to counter Iranian Shahed drones, Ukraine has developed a highly effective and low-cost method to shoot them down.
Ukraine has been asked by various countries, including the United States, to provide its expertise in countering Iran's Shahed drones, which Russia has extensively used against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy at a press conference at the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. NurPhoto/Getty Images Zelenskyy said the US requested for his support against Shahed drones in its…
The United States has asked Ukraine for help fending off Iranian Shahed drones in the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
The United States has sent a request to Ukraine asking for specific assistance in defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East.
A drone factory in Russia's Tatarstan, part of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, launched an ad campaign featuring teenagers who describe earning money assembling Shahed kamikaze drones.
What to know about Iran’s cheap, noisy Shahed drones and the expensive defense systems trying to stop them
The United States and other partners have asked Ukraine to share its expertise in defending against Iranian Shahed drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, as the weapons wreaked havoc across the Middle East. “Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience,” […]
Tehran's response to attacks by the US and Israel is being made with Shahed-136 drones. They are produced by Iran, at a lower cost than missiles.
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rises while the rest of the world falls The post Cyprus and the Iranian Shahed drones, the markets and freight rates x5, banks with other people’s money, Holterman…
The United States has for the first time deployed LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System) suicide drones in combat against Iran, a system reportedly based on Iran's Shahed drones.
IRAN attacked an Aramco oil facility in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, with Shahed drones. Due to the attack, the refinery ceased operations.
Ukraine has managed to dismantle a modern Wi-Fi system that enabled Russian Shahed drones to enter Ukraine's north from Belarus.
Iran's military tactics against US forces include ballistic missiles, Shahed drones, and swarming boats, but American forces have proven countermeasures.
Ukrainian drone attacks on the Moscow region have resulted in five deaths and multiple injuries, with several warehouses, including a Wildberries facility, being hit. These strikes are part of a broader series of Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian territory, including other cities and a Turkish ship in the Black Sea.
An Iskander ballistic missile used by Russia in a July 10 strike on the Kyiv region reportedly contained over 140 foreign-made components from various countries, including the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Taiwan, China, and Japan. Experts suggest Russia would be unable to produce new Iskanders or Shahed drones without these imported parts.
The drone war in Ukraine has entered a new phase with Russia's deployment of 300-MPH jet-powered Shahed drones. Footage reportedly shows a Russian Geran-4 drone striking a passenger train, indicating an escalation in tactics.
Ukrainian drone attacks targeted Russian logistics centers, including a Wildberries warehouse storing drone components, and an oil depot in the Moscow region, resulting in at least seven deaths. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes on two significant logistics facilities in Russia.
For over four years, Russia has been bombing Ukrainian cities daily, but in the last year, hundreds of long-range Shahed drones have been launched. Ukraine's 'Sparta' unit is reportedly using precise methods to isolate Crimea.
Ukraine is deploying small kamikaze helicopters to defend against Russia's increasingly sophisticated and numerous Shahed drones, which are used in long-range attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he had 'positive' discussions with American envoys, including Witkoff and Kushner, regarding the reactivation of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. This comes as Russia continues its attacks, with reports of multiple deaths in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's war chief stated that Russia plans for jet-powered Shahed drones to constitute 50% of its long-range attacks, indicating an evolution in Moscow's drone warfare strategy.
Ukraine's HUR reports that Russia's defense order for various types of Shahed drones this year amounts to more than 100,000 units, indicating a significant increase in procurement.
The Alabuga special economic zone in Russia is reportedly producing thousands of attack drones monthly, modeled after Iranian Shahed drones. Foreign workers, primarily from Africa, are said to be involved, often having been recruited under false pretenses of logistics or hospitality jobs.
Ukraine is developing and testing low-cost interceptor missiles designed to shoot down Russian Shahed-type drones, with plans for mass production by autumn. This initiative aims to enhance the country's air defense capabilities using home-grown technology.
Concerns are being raised about the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense systems against the threat posed by newly introduced high-speed Shahed drones. Experts are assessing whether current defenses can withstand these advanced aerial threats.
British jets are set to receive new anti-drone missile systems, providing a more cost-effective method to intercept threats like Iran's Shahed drones used in the Middle East.
Russia is reportedly shifting its tactics by launching hundreds of Shahed drones at Ukraine during the daytime in sustained campaigns, signaling a new form of warfare.
Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov provided insights into the downing of Shahed drones and the ongoing development of the Air Force's drone component.
James Holder, co-founder of the Superdry fashion brand, has been found guilty of rape following a night out in Cheltenham. Sentencing for the conviction is expected to take place in the coming week.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism and sought clarification from the US regarding Russian President Putin's proposal for a ceasefire on May 9, Victory Day. Kyiv questioned whether the offer was a genuine peace gesture or merely an attempt to secure a disruption-free parade in Moscow.
Ukraine is intensifying its efforts to develop and implement strategies aimed at defeating the persistent threat posed by Russian-operated Shahed drones. The country is focused on improving its defenses and countermeasures against these unmanned aerial vehicles.
UK police have arrested eight individuals in connection with a series of suspected anti-Semitic arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London and other parts of the UK. The arrests come as authorities investigate an ongoing spree of incidents, with one conviction already secured and a new attack reportedly foiled.
Romanian company OVES Enterprise, in collaboration with US and European partners, is developing advanced interceptor drones for Ukraine, designed to counter modern aerial threats like Shahed drones.
Experts issue a warning about the significant threat posed by Shahed drones, stating their potential to terrorize the entire world and emphasizing the necessity of constant adaptation in warfare.
Militarii ucraineni au doborât drone Shahed de fabricație iraniană în mai multe țări din Orientul Mijlociu înainte de intrarea în vigoare a armistițiului din această săptămână, a anunțat președintele…
After intensive work on advanced mathematical problems, participants of the Math Beyond Limits Balkans camp in Konjic discussed how mathematics influences democratic processes, alongside enjoying an adventure through Herzegovina.
Ukraine's defense forces are set to receive modern Tridon Mk2 air defense systems from Sweden, enhancing their capabilities to counter threats like Shahed drones.
The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is currently under attack by Russian Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Five people have been killed in Ukraine in recent days due to delayed detonations of Russian Shahed drones that survived their initial impact, posing an ongoing threat.
Ukrainian drone attacks have again damaged Russia's Ust-Luga port in the Baltic Sea, a key fuel export hub, according to the governor, following previous attacks that also damaged a school and resulted in injuries.
Russian Shahed drones are dropping mines from containers. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry advises people not to approach them and to warn children about the danger.
Despite US attacks, Iran continues to produce inexpensive Shahed drones. Their manufacturing from commercial parts in small workshops makes production difficult to track and stop.
An Irish expat living in Abu Dhabi recounts how their life has been plunged into chaos due to Iran's retaliation, leading them to become "experts on Shahed drones."
An analysis suggests that Iran's cheap and deadly Shahed drones have inadvertently benefited the U.S. by demonstrating that the era of relying solely on exquisite, expensive weapons is over for the Pentagon.
Israel has launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, including fresh strikes on Tehran, as the US-Israel vs Iran conflict intensifies, impacting Gulf nations and global energy markets, with Netanyahu claiming victory.
The Greek government is closely monitoring the safety of seafarers as attacks on energy facilities in the region increase The post A total of 160 Greek seafarers are in the Middle East appeared first…
The article discusses the undeclared drone war where Iran's inexpensive Shahed drones are proving effective against costly US Reaper drones, recalling past US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran has threatened Ukraine, stating it has become a 'legitimate target' for providing drone support to the Israeli regime, just days after Kyiv sent military specialists to the Middle East to help Gulf countries counter Iranian drones. Iran previously dismissed Ukraine's alleged support to Gulf countries against its Shahed drones as a 'joke'.
Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones, Zelenskiy says Reuters
The conflict involving Iran's Shahed drones is creating a booming business for small drone manufacturers globally, particularly for interceptor drones.
Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, with 4,000 to 5,000 fighters based in Iraqi Kurdistan, are prepared to challenge Tehran and have high hopes for the US-Israeli operation in Iran, but are holding back as the war unfolds.
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that Ukraine has dispatched three fully equipped teams to assist in countering Shahed drones in the Middle East.
A technologically complex missile and drone battle is unfolding, pitting Iran's swarms of cheap Shahed drones and ballistic missiles against US and Israeli advanced defence systems.
The UAE released footage of its air force successfully intercepting and destroying Iranian drones that targeted the Gulf nation.
Kyiv has offered its expertise but seeks missiles in return
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced that the US requested Ukraine's assistance in combating Iran's Shahed drones, and he is sending experts to provide support.
F-35 pilot based in Cyprus becomes first to destroy a target in combat – and celebrates with a single beer In the clear skies above Jordan on Monday night, a British F-35 pilot made a small piece of history. Flying for four hours alongside two Typhoons, the radar picked up two Shahed drones. The squadron tactics instructor – whom the Guardian is not naming – hit the drones with two Asraam missiles. In doing so he became the first pilot of the Royal Air Force’s stealth fighter jet to destroy a...
Ukraine has proposed exchanging its interceptor drones, which could counter Iran's Shahed drones in the Middle East, for Patriot missiles from the US. This comes as the US and another Gulf country are reportedly negotiating with Kyiv.
The United States and its allies in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Various countries, including the United States, have approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday. He said he has spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation. Russia has fired tens of tho
The Pentagon is considering using cheap, mass-produced Ukrainian interceptor drones, which Kyiv has pioneered to counter Russian Shahed drones, as a potential countermeasure against Iran.
US officials have cautioned that Iranian-made Shahed-type drones pose a significant challenge, and current air defenses cannot be fully relied upon to intercept every one of them.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is reportedly considering a strategy to swap Patriot missiles for interceptor drones, in response to the escalating threat from Iranian Shahed drones.
Interceptor drones successfully destroyed more than 70% of Russian Shahed-type attack drones over Kyiv and its surrounding areas in February.
The Persian Gulf countries could significantly strengthen their protection against Iranian Shahed drones by drawing on Ukraine's experience in building a comprehensive counter-UAV system that…
Residents of a 17-story building in central Kyiv recount their struggle for survival during a night attack by Shahed drones near the Zvirinetska metro station.
Ukraine released thermal camera footage showing its helicopter crews using machine guns to destroy multiple Russian Shahed drones.
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have transformed the battlefield. But they have also brought the war to Ukrainians’ doorstep. Small drones known as FPVs and long-range Shahed drones are terrorising Ukrainian civilians. In a special report in collaboration with RFI Ukraine, our Observers recount their day-to-day reality.
Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia killed at least eight people and set a Wildberries warehouse ablaze. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, resulted in multiple casualties and a hazardous substance leak.
An analysis examines the connection between Iran and Russia, highlighting Iran's supply of Shahed drones to Moscow for use in Ukraine, which despite being used in thousands, have not helped Russia win the war.
Drone manufacturers are in a race to develop effective countermeasures against Russia's increasingly sophisticated and faster jet-powered Shahed drones, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare.
The EU plans to impose sanctions on five legal entities and one individual linked to the production of Russian drones.
A technology expert has explained that autonomous target selection and guidance technologies for Shahed strike UAVs are currently in the initial stages of combat testing.
Amnesty International has accused Iran of possible war crimes, estimating that Shahed drones were likely used in two attacks, with the organization speaking to witnesses of attacks on Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Ukraine's Defense Minister announced the creation of a new drone system that automates 95% of Shahed drone interceptions. This technological advancement aims to enhance the country's air defense capabilities.
Russian bombings on Kyiv have resulted in 22 deaths, with a swarm of 653 Shahed drones and 73 missiles striking across the territory. Zelensky has called for Patriot missile systems, as 40,000 people in the capital sleep in the metro and areas of Kharkiv are evacuated.
Russia is increasingly deploying disposable attack drones, converted from Shahed models, that are remotely controlled by operators to hunt mobile targets and evade defenses.
Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 111 out of 122 Russian drones in a recent attack. Ukraine also claims to have developed effective interceptors for Russian Shahed drones.
Ukraine has reported a significant improvement in its air defense capabilities, with the interception rate for Russian Shahed drones doubling over the past four months. This increase is part of Ukraine's broader efforts to strengthen its aerial defenses against drone attacks.
Russia, facing monthslong delays in acquiring anti-jam antennas, is now reportedly deploying them on foam decoys for its Shahed drones.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces are actively tracking every Shahed-type drone that traverses Belarusian airspace. This monitoring is part of Ukraine's ongoing defense efforts.
Military intelligence reports indicate that Russia plans to significantly increase its reliance on jet-powered Shahed drones, such as the Geran-4 or Geran-5 models. The goal is to raise their share in the drone arsenal to 50%.
Japan-based Terra Drone is reportedly investing in Ukraine's innovative and inexpensive methods to counter Shahed drones.
Russia conducted a massive daytime drone attack across Ukraine, hitting multiple regions including Ternopil, Rivne, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv. The strikes resulted in numerous injuries, with reports of residential buildings and a food processing plant being damaged.
Ukraine is intensifying its efforts to defeat Russia's Shahed drones, considered Russia's most feared weapon, with about 15-20% of the Shaheds sent by Russia now powered by jet engines.
Two Ukrainian entrepreneurs in Estonia have established a drone company, Arx, which has developed drones capable of shooting down Shahed drones, helicopters, and potentially other aerial targets.
An expert stated that Russia is unable to sharply increase the number of Shahed drones used in its strikes on Ukraine, with the main limiting factor being the availability of launch sites, in addition to munitions.
President Trump announced that peace talks between the US and Iran are set to resume in Pakistan, with JD Vance expected to lead the American delegation. This development follows previous discussions and comes amidst ongoing tensions, despite Trump's earlier remarks about an Iranian ceasefire violation.
Private air defense systems are now operational in Ukraine, allowing companies to hire protection against Shahed drones. This development was reported by Deutsche Welle.
Former Albanian MP Myslym Murrizi has strongly reacted to Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements on European integration, bringing up allegations about an Ukrainian caught in Germany who reportedly worked with Rama's brother in a call center.
A top commander states that NATO ignored the drone threat and is now urgently learning new ways of war, highlighting the extensive use of Iranian-designed Shahed drones in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Russian forces are continuing to attack the city of Kharkiv with drones, one of which has hit an educational institution.
Reports indicate that U.S. Gatling guns are proving ineffective in stopping Iran’s Shahed drones, raising concerns about current defense capabilities against these unmanned aerial vehicles.
Shahed drones are being identified as an evolving and continuous threat that will continue to impact Ukraine and potentially other regions.
US allies are reportedly rushing to acquire Ukraine's counter-drone technology, though experts suggest that military hardware alone may not be sufficient to fully neutralize the threat posed by Shahed drones.
The port of Salalah in Oman was attacked by drones, prompting an immediate evacuation and suspension of operations for 48 hours, according to Danish shipping company Maersk. This comes as Ukraine is reportedly seeking diesel supplies from Middle Eastern countries, offering assistance in combating Shahed drones in return.
The Kuwait National Guard has successfully intercepted and downed six drones, according to reports from the Kuwait Times.
Polish and allied air forces scrambled in high alert due to increased activity of Russian Shahed drones over western Ukraine, near the Polish border, prompting Warsaw to enhance its airspace protection.
China has developed a new kamikaze drone capable of 136 mph, which reportedly advances the concept seen in Iran's Shahed drones.
Ukrainian drone experts are assisting Gulf states in combating Iranian Shahed drones, sharing their experience from the conflict in Ukraine to counter similar threats in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to meet and find common ground, stating that the ongoing war in Iran risks delaying Ukraine peace talks.
The US embassy in Baghdad has been targeted by a drone and rocket attack, raising concerns about security in the region.
Israel has what we need [against Russia], and we have what Israel needs [against Iran], Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
US military has asked Ukraine to share its experience in countering Shahed drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
High-energy lasers are being explored as a cost-effective defense against drones and missiles, particularly in countering Iranian attacks, despite facing challenges related to weather conditions and large-scale production.
Ukrainian forces, experienced in countering Russian drones, have developed an inexpensive drone that has proven effective against Iranian Shahed drones, leading four Gulf countries to seek Ukrainian assistance.
The conflict between Iran and the US is characterized by the threat of cheap Shahed drones, a race for missiles, and the increasing risk of a ground confrontation, contrasting with initial 'shock and awe' strikes by the US.
Ukraine has battle experience with Iranian-made Shahed drones and has mass-produced cheap interceptors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that 11 countries have requested Ukraine's assistance in combating Shahed drones, leveraging Ukraine's extensive experience from the ongoing war with Russia.
The conflict in Iran, which began in 2026, is increasingly a technological war, with rapid advancements in weapon systems and strategic tactics, including the use of Shahed drones as 'ballistics of the poor' and precision PrSM missiles.
Peter Frølich, a Norwegian politician, has expressed serious concerns about Norway's air defense capabilities, stating that the country is 'completely unprepared' and that 200 Shahed drones could largely penetrate its defenses.
Ukraine, possessing significant combat experience in intercepting Iranian kamikaze drones, has expressed its readiness to share this knowledge with international partners to enhance collective security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the United States has asked for support in defending against Shahed loitering munitions in the Middle East.
Fuel-efficient engine + modest radar evasion capacities + a 40-50kg warhead make Iran's Shahed-series 'kamikaze' drones a low-cost terror that can be mass produced for US$20,000 - US$50,000 each, and used to overwhelm air defences.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that partners, including the USA, are asking Ukraine for help in defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East. He emphasized that any assistance would be possible only if it does not weaken Ukraine's own defense.
What to know about Iran’s cheap, noisy Shahed drones and the expensive defense systems trying to stop them.
For the first time in the Iran war, the United States has confirmed using kamikaze-style, single-use drones, openly acknowledging their inspiration from Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia extensively uses in Ukraine.
Ukraine is ready to cooperate with Middle Eastern countries on protecting the skies from Iranian Shahed drones.
In a notable shift, the US has also begun fielding low-cost one-way attack drones modelled after Iranian designs.
An article discusses strategies and methods for countering the threat posed by Iran's Shahed drones.
Ukraine’s air defences have destroyed more than 140,000 assets including 44,000 Shahed-type drones and 2,000 Kh-101 missiles.