Published on May 31st, 2025
Introduction
As drone warfare continues to reshape modern combat, Russia has adjusted its tactics in Ukraine by using Iranian-made Shahed drones in a new, more evasive way. Reports from the battlefield suggest that Russian forces are now launching high-altitude dive-bombing attacks to avoid being shot down by Ukrainian small arms and automatic weapons. This tactical evolution reflects a broader trend in drone warfare — prioritizing survivability and precision over low-level attacks. In this article, we explore how this tactic works, its implications for both sides, and how the battlefield is adapting.
1. What Are Shahed Drones and Why Are They Effective?
Shahed drones, particularly the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, are loitering munitions supplied by Iran and used extensively by Russian forces. These drones are designed to crash into targets while carrying explosive payloads, making them low-cost, long-range alternatives to traditional missiles.
Key characteristics include:
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GPS-guided flight paths
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Long range (up to 2,000 km in some variants)
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Simplified construction for mass production
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Distinctive engine sound that often alerts defenders
Although relatively slow and unsophisticated compared to Western drones, Shaheds are effective because of their cost-efficiency, swarm potential, and ability to overwhelm air defenses.
2. Tactical Shift: Dive-Bombing From High Altitudes
Traditionally, drones like the Shahed would fly at lower altitudes to maintain accuracy and reduce detection. However, as Ukrainian troops have become adept at targeting low-flying drones with rifles, machine guns, and small-caliber anti-aircraft weapons, Russia has changed course.
Now, Shahed drones:
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Ascend to higher altitudes (beyond the range of small arms)
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Plunge steeply toward targets in a controlled dive
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Deliver payloads more accurately while avoiding early destruction
This dive-bombing technique reduces the drones’ exposure to small arms fire and makes them harder to intercept until the final seconds of flight.
3. Implications for Ukrainian Defense Forces
While this adaptation improves drone survivability, it poses new challenges for Ukrainian defenses. The higher flight paths reduce the effectiveness of small arms fire — once a valuable last line of defense in rural areas and on the battlefield’s edge.
Ukrainian challenges include:
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Increased reliance on radar and medium-range air defenses
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Faster reaction times required to intercept drones during the dive
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Difficulty defending remote or frontline locations without advanced systems
This shift underscores the need for integrated air defense systems, including mobile radars, electronic warfare tools, and coordinated drone jamming networks.
4. Countermeasures and Emerging Technologies
Ukraine and its allies are quickly working on countermeasures to respond to this evolving threat. These include:
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Electronic warfare systems to disrupt drone guidance
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Improved radar systems to detect high-altitude loitering
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Directed-energy weapons (in development) for low-cost interception
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AI-powered defense systems for faster response targeting
Additionally, drone-on-drone interception and low-cost kamikaze drones may play a growing role in close air defense.
Conclusion
Russia’s use of high-altitude dive-bombing tactics with Shahed drones represents a calculated shift in its battlefield strategy — one that reflects the rapid evolution of drone warfare. By adjusting to the realities of modern combat, Russian forces are attempting to stay one step ahead of Ukrainian defenses. However, this tactic is also pushing Ukraine and its partners to innovate faster in counter-drone technologies and integrated air defense systems. In the age of drones, adaptability is the new arms race — and the sky remains a critical front in the war.
