Russians install MANPADS on Shahed drones and increase their combat payload to 90 kilograms — Ignat

This was announced on television by Yuriy Ignat, Head of the communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, according to Ukrinform.

"The Shahed drones have changed significantly in terms of development. Both Starlink and SIM cards have already been found on them, i.e., separate communication channels, various modems, and so on. Add to that electronic warfare countermeasures — many elements on the antennas were found specifically to counter our electronic warfare capabilities... Including such means. In addition to MANPADS, drones with an increased warhead of up to 90 kg, filled with shrapnel, were also found so that even if, for example, this Shahed is hit from a helicopter, its explosion in the air would cause a cloud of debris that could hit aircraft," Ignat said.

At the same time, he noted that Ukrainian intelligence and the Air Force are aware of the enemy's new developments.

“All of this is being taken into account. It is clear that the enemy is not idle, just as we, in the end, also have our own developments and are also striking the enemy where we can,” Ignat said.

As reported by Ukrinform, the day before, fighters from the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces intercepted a Russian combat drone equipped with a portable anti-aircraft missile system, a radio modem, and a camera, which enabled the drone to be controlled from Russian territory and missiles to be launched.

Photo: Facebook / Yuriy Ignat