How are ‘kamikaze’ drones being utilized by Russia and Ukraine?

Wreckage of a Shehad-136 drone. The tail fin has Geranium 2 written on it - the Russian name for the drone.

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Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Wreckage of a Shahed-136 (or Geranium-2) kamikaze drone shot down by the Ukrainians

Ukraine has accused Russia of using “kamikaze” drones against civilian targets in Kyiv.

These carry explosives which detonate on impact, destroying the drone in the process.

What is Russia’s ‘kamikaze’ drone?

It’s believed Russia has been using the Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone in the Ukraine conflict since mid-September.

Also called the Geranium-2 by Russia, it has explosives in a warhead on its nose and is designed to loiter over a target until it is instructed to attack.

The Shahed-136 has a wingspan of about 2.5m (8.2ft) and can be hard to detect on radar.

It’s unclear exactly how many Russia has, but the US has said Iran planned to send hundreds to Russia. Iran has denied doing so.

What damage have kamikaze drones done in Ukraine?

Russia was first reported to have used a Shahed-136 drone on 13 September, attacking targets near Kupiansk, a city in the Kharkiv region…

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