Russia has given a new and worrying step in the. For the first time since the beginning of the conflict, Shahed modified to carry a portable air defense system (MANPADS), a change that transforms these devices.
These drones, until now conceived as unidirectional attack weapons, have become a direct threat to enemy pilots and aircraft, so their potential danger turns it into
The interception was carried out by fighters from the Darknode Battalion, belonging to the 412th Nemesis Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of Ukraine. The downed device, according to the official report, was not only carrying a portable anti-aircraft missile, but was also equipped with a camera and a radio modemwhich would allow its remote control from Russian territory and its selective use against aerial targets.
Although he Kyiv Post has not been able to independently verify the exact location or date of the video released by USF, the images clearly show the remains of the Shahed with the integrated MANPADSconfirming a qualitative leap in the capabilities of these drones.
A clear message for pilots: keep your distance
The Ukrainian specialist in military communications and electronic warfare Serhii Beskrestnov, known as “Flash”, was blunt after learning of the discovery. This is, according to him, the first documented case of a Shahed armed with a portable anti-aircraft system.
“I urge military aviation pilots to take note of this new threat and avoid approaching the Shahed drones head on,” he warned.
MANPADS are designed to shoot down low flying targets, such as helicopters, fighters in attack maneuvers, drones and cruise missiles. Depending on the model, they use different types of guidance—infrared, laser or manual—and are especially dangerous in scenarios where the pilot has little room for maneuver.
Russia wants to attack and defend at the same time
The incorporation of this type of weaponry reinforces a trend already observed in recent months: Moscow is progressively adapting its attack drones to defend them against Ukrainian interceptors and manned fighters. In early January, Beskrestnov himself reported the discovery of infrared searchlights on Russian Shahed, apparently designed to detect aircraft and attract guidance systems.
The technical analysis of these new configurations is still ongoing, but the strategic message is clear: Russia seeks to convert its drones into hybrid platforms capable of attacking and defending at the same time.
Drones increasingly lethal on both sides
This technological escalation is not unilateral. of its own drones, providing them with increasingly sophisticated weapons.
In May 2025, the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed the first combat use of a armed drone with a grenade launcher, developed by the Ukrainian company Wild Hornets.
The images released showed the “Queen of Hornet” drone attacking Russian infantry positions in the Novopavlivka sector, in the region of Donetsk. According to Ukrainian operators, this innovation can significantly alter tactics on the ground.
- Among the main advantages that stand out are:
- Faster and more precise attacks than kamikaze FPV drones
- Greater operational reach.
- Reduced exposure to electronic warfare interference
- Ability to shoot without destroying the drone
Objective: total destruction
Vadym “Sonik” Feshchenko, former grenadier and current drone operator, explained that Russian infantry has learned to react before floating drones that precede an attack. However, drones capable of firing on the move drastically reduce the enemy’s reaction time and force them to retreat or seek immediate cover.
Furthermore, modern grenade launcher ammunition can pierce up to seven centimeters of armor, which expands the range of possible objectives. Already in September 2024, tests with FPV drones equipped with RPG-18 and even AK-74 assault rifles fired from the air had been documented.
In parallel, other heavy models such as the “Baba Yaga” drone have been used to drop incendiary material on Russian positions. Although these types of weapons rarely cause direct casualties, Yes, it is effective in burning vegetation, crops and forested areas, eliminating natural shelters, making movement difficult and creating dense smoke screens.
Overall, the aerial battlefield is becoming an increasingly hostile environment, where Even a seemingly harmless drone can hide a trap mortal. For pilots, the warning is already out: getting too close can be a fatal mistake.
