The Economist analyzed how many 'shaheds' Russia can produce overnight in the future.

Kamikaze drones: Russia intensifies aerial terror

After a series of intense nighttime attacks on Ukraine, Western media began to explore Russia's potential for further escalation of aerial terror. One publication, The Economist, reports that Moscow could significantly increase the number of drones and missiles launched. According to the latest data, Russia has used a record number of drones - approximately 300 in one night. Analysts emphasize that this is only the beginning, as the occupiers have shortened the production Time of 'shaheds' to three days, and Ukrainian intelligence has information about plans to raise production to 500 drones per day, which poses a real threat of massive attacks by thousands of drones simultaneously.

New models of drones can connect to mobile networks and be controlled via bots in Telegram, complicating electronic warfare. Against the backdrop of these threats, significant strengthening of air defense in Kyiv is needed. However, so far the USA has not granted permission for the purchase of Patriot missile systems and their production in Ukraine. The Economist believes that Ukraine should likely develop a survival strategy that combines air defense with active measures in the sky and means of deterring the aggressor.

It is noted that since the beginning of 2025, scouts have recorded the following changes in drone construction:

• a new type of warhead weighing 90 kg;
• the flight controller, power distribution unit, and battery have been moved from the nose to the tail;
• additional ballast has been installed in the drone's design.

The Main Intelligence Directorate reports that Russia is increasingly using Chinese products to replace components from the USA and the European Union. The new strike drone 'Batyar', developed by the Ukrainian company DeepStrikeTech, can cover a distance of over 800 km. Its use can vary, from a kamikaze drone to a decoy or a frontline drone.