Russia’s Drone Delight: A Sky Full of Shaheds

As of October 2023, Russia has unleashed a record 2,023 Shahed (Geran-2) drones over Ukraine, aiming for a 'drone paradise' with 6,000 units by mid-2025 from Tatarstan factories. These AI-enhanced swarms, some armed with thermobaric warheads, challenge Ukraine’s defenses, though Kyiv intercepts up to 91% of them. While Russia gambles on high-tech havoc, Ukraine’s resilient air defenses and international sanctions keep the skies a battleground with serious civilian stakes.