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View of Shahed Drone Launch Positions in Russia Highlights Strike Complexities.
On October 13, 2024, a rare daylight image showing the launch site for Russia’s Shahed-136 kamikaze drones emerged on VK social media, shared by the account @Портфель Генштаба. Captured amid Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the image offers insights into the setup of these drone launch sites, highlighting challenges in destroying these drones before they take off.
The Shahed-136, deployed in multiple configurations, supports anti-personnel, anti-fortification, and radar-targeting missions and can be launched in swarms from truck-based launchers (Picture source: Telegram Channel @Портфель Генштаба)
Developed by Iran’s Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), the Shahed-136 is a loitering munition, also called a kamikaze or suicide drone. Its delta-wing design includes stabilizing rudders and a rear-facing propeller engine. At 3.5 meters in length, a wingspan of 2.5 meters, and around 200 kg in weight, the Shahed-136 carries a high-explosive warhead of 30–50 kg, equipped with an inertial GPS-guided navigation system.
This system enables precision strikes over distances estimated between 1,000 to 2,500 km at a speed of up to 185 km/h. The Shahed-136, deployed in multiple configurations, supports anti-personnel, anti-fortification, and radar-targeting missions and can be launched in swarms from truck-based launchers. This swarm capability allows synchronized attacks and pre-programmed missions, illustrating the effectiveness of these drones in Ukraine’s conflict.
The photo reveals that Shahed drones rest on small concrete slabs just large enough for each unit, which makes targeting them challenging, even for advanced precision weapons. Observations suggest the drones arrive at the launch site already fitted with warheads and aviation fuel, indicating that fueling and arming occur away from these sites, reducing risks of secondary explosions in case of Ukrainian strikes. This configuration complicates direct targeting at launch points and reinforces the strategic importance of targeting Shahed storage facilities.
To meet operational demand, Russia has also initiated licensed local production of Shahed drones at Alabuga Special Economic Zone (Picture source: Russian Media)
Russia has situated these launch positions only about 200 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, reinforcing the persistent threat they pose. However, targeting storage sites is equally challenging, as Russia appears to store its Shahed drones within civilian infrastructure, following tactics observed in groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, making them harder to locate and increasing collateral damage risks.
Since 2022, Russia has extensively deployed Iranian Shahed-136 drones in Ukraine, reportedly acquiring 2,400 units initially. To meet operational demand, Russia has also initiated licensed local production of Shahed drones at Alabuga Special Economic Zone.
Supported by Iranian expertise, Alabuga’s manufacturing capacity has steadily increased, from an expected 148 units per month to estimates exceeding 400 units monthly. This local production capability, managed under the Russian designation “Geran-2,” enables a continuous supply of Shahed drones to the battlefield, enhancing Russia’s operational autonomy from Iranian shipments while adapting production levels to ongoing military needs in Ukraine.