All you need to know about Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones Russia is using against Ukraine

If you have been tracking the Russia-Ukraine war, you must have heard of the 'kamikaze' drones by now. Like swarming bees, these drones have become a headache for Ukraine, which is desperately trying to squat the pesky insects away.

Look how #russia carries out a strike by Iran-made kamikaze drones this morning. Several buildings are damaged. #Rescuers are pulling civillians out of the rubble.
This is 🇷🇺 another terrorist attack on the capital.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/TKOiu9hr1w

— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) October 17, 2022

These so-called kamikaze drones have struck civilian infrastructure, crucial energy plants and military equipment in Ukraine. Reports of the drone explosions have been reported in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa and several other parts of Ukraine. In some cases, the explosions have taken the lives of civilians. 

So, what are these kamikaze drones? Let's start with the terms, the wrong terms and the right terms:

What do we know about Shahed-136 loitering munitions?  

Why is Russia using them? Experts say the whole point of using these cheap drones is to overwhelm the enemy, have them expend their ammunition and keep people on the edge. 

• It also shows that Russia's domestic supply has run out or stretched. 

Far from being cutting edge, loitering munitions have been around since the late 1980s; the Israeli Harpy being the most successful. They are essentially slow, propeller-powered missiles. Early variants had anti-radiation seekers to home in on enemy SAM radars. (2/20) pic.twitter.com/4jlRlkgv5H

— Justin Bronk (@Justin_Br0nk) September 26, 2022

Is Iran supplying Russia with the Shahed drones? If so, Iran would be in breach of UN sanctions which forbids the country from transferring certain military technologies. 

• Iran has denied supplying Russia with the drones, but intelligence units of Western countries have claimed that the first batch was delivered in August. 

• Israel is said to be helping Ukraine with dealing with the Iranian drones. Israel has vast experience with deflecting Iran-made weapons. Israel also has what is called the "Iron Dome" anti-missile defense system well-versed with Iran's weapons. 
• But so far, Israel has resisted calls to transfer the systems to Ukraine. Russia has warned that Moscow would destroy all relations with Israel if it helps Ukraine with the war. 
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is planning to acquire an additional 2,400 drones from Iran.