Latest news with #Shahed136
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Iran fired over 400 missiles, Israeli Iron Dome intercepted 90% attacks in 6 days...; who sustained more damage in ongoing Israel-Iran war?
Iranian missiles caused substantial damage across Israel (File). Israel-Iran war: Iran launched over 400 missiles on Israel since the latest armed confrontation between the two enemy countries began on June 13 this month, which has escalated into a full-scale Israel-Iran war, that has left hundreds dead, and caused extensive infrastructure damage over the last six days. Iran or Israel- Who sustained more damage so far? According to media reports, Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel, including its lethal Fattah-I hypersonic missiles, along with swarms of attack drones, such as the Shahed 136 kamikaze drones. Israel claims its multilayered air defense system, including the famed Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow-3, intercepted 90 percent of the projectiles fired from Iran, but its believed that around 40 locations in the country were struck by Iranian missiles and drones, including major cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ramat Gan, Rishon Lezion and Bat Yam. As per official figures, 24 people have been killed in Iranian strikes so far, including five in Tamra town near Haifa, and one in Bat Yam, while more than 804 have sustained injuries, with 8 in critical condition, 41 with moderate wounds, and 755 with minor injuries. The Israel Tax Authority has received 18,766 damage claims, including 15,861 related to damage to buildings and structures, 1,272 vehicle damage claims, and 1,633 related to goods and other property. A residential building was completely destroyed in an Iranian strike in Tel Aviv, while nine buildings collapsed and hundreds more were damaged in Ramat Gan. Similarly, four residential homes were destroyed in Rishon LeZion, while an Iranian missile caused damage near the IDF headquarters in Kirya. Nearly 3,800 people were evacuated from their homes to safer places as rescue teams are working to help people trapped under the rubble in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Bat Yam. Israel claims Iran's missile launchers destroyed Meanwhile, Israeli strikes have inflicted far more significant damage in Iran, especially in the capital Tehran where a mass exodus is underway as people leave the city for safer place, amid threats of more attack. Apart from killing Iran's top military leadership and nuclear scientists, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), also claimed to have significantly weakened Iran's missile launching capabilities by destroying its missile launchers. However, experts believe Iran still has around 2000 missiles in its arsenal, and the number could surge to 8000 in the next two years, if the war drags on for that long. Iranian media reports claim that 224 people, mostly civilians, have been killed so far in Israeli attacks, and more than 1300 injured. Israel-Iran war Israel unleashed a wave of pre-dawn air strikes on Iranian cities on Friday (June 13th), including capital Tehran, under Operation Rising Lion, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Hours later, Iran, under Operation True Promise III, responded with a barrage of missiles and drones that struck several Israeli cities and major population centers, including Tel Aviv. Both sides have launched devastating strikes on each other, causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of civilian lives, even as world powers and global agencies, including the United Nations, have urged the two bitter enemies to exercise utmost restraint. According to various media reports, more than 230 people, including about top Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, while Iranian missile attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 24 Israelis.
India.com
13-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Iran-Israel war: How powerful are Shahed-136 drones that Iran has fired towards Israel? they are capable of..., target is...
Shahed 136 (File) Iran-Israel war: Iran has launched more than 100 Shahed-136 drones towards Israel in retaliation to the latter's airstrikes on Iranian cities, including capital Tehran on Sunday. According to media reports, the Jordanian Air Force is trying to intercept the Iranian drones and missiles in its airspace before they reach Israel. Iran is known for its drone capabilities, and the Shahed drones are among the deadliest in its drone arsenal. Let us find out how powerful these Iranian military drones are. How powerful is Iran's Shahed-136 drone? The HESA Shahed 136 is a loitering munition system (LMS) designed and developed by Iran to serve as a low-cost kamikaze or suicide drone, used to take out strategic enemy targets such as bunkers and air defense systems. The Shahed 136 has been extensively used by Russian forces during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and is also known by its Russian designation Geran-2. Introduced in 2020, the Shahed 136 is a single-use kamikaze drone that explodes after diving into its target, causing extensive damage. It has a range of up to 2500 kilometers, which means it can easily reach deep inside Israel, which is located around 1800 kms away from Iran. The Shahed 136 can reach speeds of up to 200 kmph, but lacks stealth and can be easily detected by radars due to its relatively slow speed. However, these drones are often launched in swarms to overwhelm enemy air defenses, making them difficult to intercept. The Iranian LMS drone has a payload capacity of 40-50 kg, packing enough firepower to damage small military bases, buildings, or target soldiers, but not enough to affect larger, hardened structures like nuclear plants. The Shahed 136 is a propeller-driven drone, which flies at a low altitude of 3000-4000 meters to avoid detection by radars, and can cause damage within a 50-100 meters. When will Shahed 136 reach Israel? The aerial distance between Iran and Israel is about 1600-1800 kilometers, which means the Shahed 136 will take around 8-10 hours to reach its targets inside Jewish nation, depending upon factors like wind speed, and direction. The Iranian drone swarm has currently been spotted flying over Iraq and Jordan, indicating they have already traveled for 2-3 hours, and may reach Israel within the next 3-5 hours if not intercepted. The Associated Press (AP), quoting the (Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), said the Jordanian Air Force has intercepted and destroyed dozens of Shahed 136 drones and Iranian missiles over its airspace, while the Israeli Air Force (IAF) is trying to intercept them outside Israel's borders using F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missile defense systems. Iran-Israel war On early Sunday morning, Israel launched its fiercest attack on Iran, unleashing a wave of air strikes on Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Following the attack, Tehran has vowed vengeance, stating that its response will be anything beyond what Israel and ally, the United States, could ever imagine, triggering the fears of a full-scale Iran-Israel war.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As the West scrambles to send air defences to Ukraine, these soldiers are filling the gaps
The vehicle's lights are switched off and the battlefield plunges into darkness. The machine gun vanishes and the soldiers disappear. Only the starlight sketches out the silhouettes of Ukrainian troops in position on a bridge. The day has ended, but their mission is about to begin: it's time to hunt Russia's drones. As Kyiv pushes for more Patriots missiles and advanced defence batteries, this handful of soldiers are doing what billion-pound systems cannot: reacting in real time to Moscow's main threat before they reach Ukraine's cities. In the past month, they have downed seven Shahed 136s. Is it a lot? Or not enough? The crackle of the radio interrupts the debate. 'Stay sharp, we've got work to do,' shouts Ivan, commander of the mobile anti-air battery. 'There's one heading this way. We'll try to bring it down.' The Shahed is one of Kyiv's greatest foes – not for its destructive power, but for its ability to overwhelm air defences. Cheap, explosive and increasingly hard to intercept, Russia sends several thousand each month. Launched in waves alongside ballistic missiles, they overwhelm even the most advanced systems, and put high-value assets such as the F-16 jet at serious risk. The weapon's importance to Russia was underscored when a number of Shaheds were paraded on May 9 – the first time drones have been included in Moscow's annual Victory Day celebrations. In recent days, as Kyiv and its allies have pushed for a full 30-day ceasefire, the sound of the drones' four-cylinder engines overhead has not stopped, and they have continued to target civilian centres. Hi-tech Western arms are capable of intercepting individual Shaheds and Russian ballistic missiles, but each Patriot missile costs millions of pounds. In contrast, each Shahed costs Russia about £26,000 to produce. What's more, the flow of Western defence weaponry has slowed in the months since Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaving Ukraine's EU allies scrambling to supply Kyiv with more missiles. Troops on the ground, like those from the 115 Brigade, are working to plug the gaps and bring the drones down themselves. Back on the bridge, the soldiers burst into motion, and a gunner jumps into the back of a modified pick-up. Its sides and rear gate have been stripped away, replaced by a swivel seat with foot pedals to fire the mounted 14.5mm machine gun. A thermal imaging screen helps to track targets overhead. A few metres away, another soldier locks a blue laser onto the incoming drone, marking its trajectory. Tracer rounds follow the beam. A yellow streak rips through the night, and empty casings clatter onto the tarmac. The burst lasts for 24 seconds. 'Move,' Ihor shouts. 'Let's go, let's go, we must change position.' Some soldiers scramble back into the van, others sprint to a nearby 4x4. It seems they have missed their target, but there is no time to dwell on it. On the battlefields of Ukraine, every shot is a gift to the enemy. Hit or miss, once they open fire, they become easy targets for a Russian counterstrike, and the priority now is to get to cover fast. 'What really makes it difficult is their change of speed,' says Volodia, commander of a second anti-air battery. 'If it were constant, we could set the interception point and fire slightly ahead of the target. But it is not that simple.' These drones can alter course and speed mid-flight, making them harder to shoot down. Russia's domestically produced model travels at about 200 kilometres an hour (124 miles an hour). But a new version – the Shahed 238 – could triple that top speed, further complicating the defenders' job. 'Everyone is adapting in their own way,' says Volodia. 'Russians modified the fuel tanks design, the motors, or paint the Shaheds black. And we adjust as well. For several weeks now, we have had thermal screens mounted on our machine guns.' Ivan nods beside him: 'Before that, it was almost impossible to bring them down.' The thermal technology not only extends detection range to two or three kilometres (almost two miles) but also nullifies camouflage efforts and improves accuracy, helping the gunners hit critical components, such as the engine. But the battlefield is evolving fast. As Ukraine's defences sharpen, Russia adapts, sending more decoy drones, using Ukrainian SIM cards to reroute the flights after crossing the front line, and equipping the unmanned systems with electronic warfare to mislead interceptors. For many Ukrainians, the promise of Western arms remains distant. Cities such as Sumy, Kryvyi Rih or Kharkiv are suffering bloody strikes, with civilian casualties mounting, all while Vladimir Putin talks about peace. This is why Kyiv is pressing to acquire 10 Patriot systems for £11.3 billion to add to the eight it is reported to already possess. The air defence system is widely recognised for its ability to track and intercept aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles with high-precision. Recently, Kyiv secured one US launcher previously deployed in Israel, along with 100 missiles for it from Germany. Washington's approval of the delivery marks one small gesture towards Ukraine since the signing of the mineral agreement. But the limited Patriot batteries are focused on countering the most serious threats, and solutions, such as the 13 Raven air defence systems sent by Britain, remain scarce. Until more weapons are delivered, mobile anti-aircraft units like the one from the 115 Brigade will remain vital to intercepting Russia's drones. 'Go to the shelter, go to the shelter. I repeat, go to the shelter,' the radio pops again. 'A Russian KAB (guided bomb) is incoming,' Volodia says calmly. This time, the soldiers are unmoved. 'It's not aimed at us. The system would alert.' He lifts his head just as a sharp ripple tears through the air. Seconds later, a flash ignites the horizon. 'One-two-three-four-five-six ...' someone counts into the darkness. A deafening blast shakes the ground. 'Fifteen,' a soldier call sign Mer shouts. 'Fifteen seconds.' What does that mean? 'That it hit about five or six kilometres away,' Mer explains, having roughly calculated the distance by multiplying the time between the flash and the sound of the blast. 'Sooner or later, these battles will be fought entirely in the air,' ponders Volodia, who worked in a hospital in central Ukraine before the invasion began. He once delivered babies. Now, he fights to save lives. 'We already have effective anti-aircraft drones, but they are expensive,' he says. 'The war will be won by whoever invests smarter.' Victory is always on Ukrainian lips, even as talk at far-off negotiating tables turns to Ukraine being forced to concede swathes of territory to Russia. But Volodia is confident Ukraine can win: 'We know how to fight with less.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
On the road with the Ukrainians downing drones with machine guns
The vehicle's lights are switched off and the battlefield plunges into darkness. The machine gun vanishes and the soldiers disappear. Only the starlight sketches out the silhouettes of Ukrainian troops in position on a bridge. The day has ended, but their mission is about to begin: it's time to hunt Russia's drones. As Kyiv pushes for more Patriot missiles and advanced defence batteries, this handful of soldiers are doing what billion-pound systems cannot: reacting in real time to Moscow's main threat before they reach Ukraine's cities. In the past month, they have downed seven Shahed 136s. Is it a lot? Or not enough? The crackle of the radio interrupts the debate. 'Stay sharp, we've got work to do,' shouts Ivan, commander of the mobile anti-air battery. 'There's one heading this way. We'll try to bring it down.' The Shahed is one of Kyiv's greatest foes – not for its destructive power, but for its ability to overwhelm air defences. Cheap, explosive and increasingly hard to intercept, Russia sends several thousand each month. Launched in waves alongside ballistic missiles, they overwhelm even the most advanced systems, and put high-value assets such as the F-16 jet at serious risk. The weapon's importance to Russia was underscored when a number of Shaheds were paraded on May 9 – the first time drones have been included in Moscow's annual Victory Day celebrations. In recent days, as Kyiv and its allies have pushed for a full 30-day ceasefire, the sound of the drones' four-cylinder engines overhead has not stopped, and they have continued to target civilian centres. Hi-tech Western arms are capable of intercepting individual Shaheds and Russian ballistic missiles, but each Patriot missile costs millions of pounds. In contrast, each Shahed costs Russia about £26,000 to produce. What's more, the flow of Western defence weaponry has slowed in the months since Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaving Ukraine's EU allies scrambling to supply Kyiv with more missiles. Troops on the ground, like those from the 115 Brigade, are working to plug the gaps and bring the drones down themselves. Back on the bridge, the soldiers burst into motion, and a gunner jumps into the back of a modified pick-up. Its sides and rear gate have been stripped away, replaced by a swivel seat with foot pedals to fire the mounted 14.5mm machine gun. A thermal imaging screen helps to track targets overhead. A few metres away, another soldier locks a blue laser onto the incoming drone, marking its trajectory. Tracer rounds follow the beam. A yellow streak rips through the night, and empty casings clatter onto the tarmac. The burst lasts for 24 seconds. 'Move,' Ihor shouts. 'Let's go, let's go, we must change position.' Some soldiers scramble back into the van, others sprint to a nearby 4x4. It seems they have missed their target, but there is no time to dwell on it. On the battlefields of Ukraine, every shot is a gift to the enemy. Hit or miss, once they open fire, they become targets for a Russian counterstrike, and the priority now is to get to cover fast. 'What really makes it difficult is their change of speed,' says Volodia, commander of a second anti-air battery. 'If it were constant, we could set the interception point and fire slightly ahead of the target. But it is not that simple.' These drones can alter course and speed mid-flight, making them harder to shoot down. Russia's domestically produced model travels at about 200 kilometres an hour (124 miles an hour). But a new version – the Shahed 238 – could triple that top speed, further complicating the defenders' job. 'Everyone is adapting in their own way,' says Volodia. 'Russians modified the fuel tanks design, the motors, or paint the Shaheds black. And we adjust as well. For several weeks now, we have had thermal screens mounted on our machine guns.' Ivan nods beside him: 'Before that, it was almost impossible to bring them down.' The thermal technology not only extends detection range to up to three kilometres (almost two miles) but also nullifies camouflage efforts and improves accuracy, helping the gunners hit critical components, such as the engine. But the battlefield is evolving fast. As Ukraine's defences sharpen, Russia adapts, sending more decoy drones, using Ukrainian SIM cards to reroute the flights after crossing the front line, and equipping the unmanned systems with electronic warfare to mislead interceptors. For many Ukrainians, the promise of Western arms remains distant. Cities such as Sumy, Kryvyi Rih or Kharkiv are suffering bloody strikes, with civilian casualties mounting, all while Vladimir Putin talks about peace. This is why Kyiv is pressing to acquire 10 Patriot systems for £11.3 billion to add to the eight it is reported to already possess. The air defence system is widely recognised for its ability to track and intercept aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles with high-precision. Recently, Kyiv secured one US launcher previously deployed in Israel, along with 100 missiles for it from Germany. Washington's approval of the delivery marks one small gesture towards Ukraine since the signing of the mineral agreement. But the limited Patriot batteries are focused on countering the most serious threats. Solutions, such as the 13 Raven air defence systems sent by Britain, remain scarce. Until more weapons are delivered, mobile anti-aircraft units like the one from the 115 Brigade will remain vital to intercepting Russia's drones. 'Go to the shelter, go to the shelter. I repeat, go to the shelter,' the radio pops again. 'A Russian KAB (guided bomb) is incoming,' Volodia says calmly. This time, the soldiers are unmoved. 'It's not aimed at us. The system would alert.' Deafening blast He lifts his head just as a sharp ripple tears through the air. Seconds later, a flash ignites the horizon. 'One-two-three-four-five-six ...' someone counts into the darkness. A deafening blast shakes the ground. 'Fifteen,' a soldier, call sign Mer, shouts. 'Fifteen seconds.' What does that mean? 'That it hit about five or six kilometres away,' Mer explains, having roughly calculated the distance by multiplying the time between the flash and the sound of the blast. 'Sooner or later, these battles will be fought entirely in the air,' ponders Volodia, who worked in a hospital in central Ukraine before the invasion began. He once delivered babies. Now, he fights to save lives. 'We already have effective anti-aircraft drones, but they are expensive,' he says. 'The war will be won by whoever invests smarter.' Victory is always on Ukrainian lips, even as talk at far-off negotiating tables turns to Ukraine being forced to concede swathes of territory to Russia. But Volodia is confident Ukraine can win: 'We know how to fight with less.'
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Video Shows Iran's New Underground Military Drone Facility
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new underground military drone hangar, marking another step in the country's efforts to project its military capabilities. The reveal was accompanied by a video showing the facility's layout and weaponry. The announcement coincided with sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson and senior Republicans condemned Iran's role in global conflicts during a Capitol Hill event at which a captured Iranian-made drone was displayed as a symbol of Tehran's reach from Ukraine to the Middle East. Newsweek has reached out the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment. Why It Matters The unveiling of Iran's underground drone facility highlights Tehran's strategy to protect its assets from potential airstrikes and surveillance, particularly from Israel or the United States, as it shifts focus toward asymmetric warfare and enhanced defense infrastructure. This development coincides with renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, with a fourth round of negotiations set for Sunday. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is preparing for a Middle East trip, including stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where discussions will likely center on Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional security concerns. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (L) (R-LA) is greeted by Mark Wallace, CEO of the non-profit United Against Nuclear Iran, before Johnson delivered remarks next to a Shahed 136 military drone during a... U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (L) (R-LA) is greeted by Mark Wallace, CEO of the non-profit United Against Nuclear Iran, before Johnson delivered remarks next to a Shahed 136 military drone during a press conference on Capitol Hill May 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. The press conference, organized by United Against Nuclear Iran, occurred as the United States and Iran continue to negotiate over bilateral issues and growing international concern with Iran's drone production and proliferation. MoreWhat to Know The IRGC unveiling showcased the underground base's integration of various missile platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Iranian media highlighted the facility's apparent capacity for autonomous operations and rapid mobilization. Officials stated that the site is fully operational and capable of sustaining independent military campaigns. Iranian Drone Threat This demonstration of Iran's expanding military capabilities comes as U.S. lawmakers have voiced increasing concern over Tehran's growing use of drones. On Thursday, an Iranian-made Shahed 136 drone, captured in Ukraine, was displayed inside Congress during an event organized by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). The exhibition highlighted growing concerns in Washington over Iran's global footprint, with UANI CEO and former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mark Wallace calling the drone "the most ubiquitous terror weapon of mass destruction in the world today." Secret Nuclear Site Meanwhile on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed recent reports suggesting the existence of a secret nuclear facility in Iran, attributing them to attempts aimed at disrupting upcoming nuclear negotiations with Washington. Araghchi, posting on X, appeared to reference a report citing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), writing: "Like clockwork, more Very Scary Satellite Images are being circulated as Iran-US indirect nuclear talks are set to resume." Like clockwork, more Very Scary Satellite Images are being circulated as Iran-U.S. indirect nuclear talks are set to resume. With his credibility in tatters and exposed as a saboteur, Netanyahu—under his "Determining What @realdonaldtrump Can & Cannot Do"-policy—is turning to… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 8, 2025 The NCRI is recognized as diplomatic wing of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MeK). It is designated as a terrorist organization by Iran due to its past involvement in violent attacks and was considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. until its delisting in 2012. What People Are Saying IRGC Major General Hossein Salami said: "What the Iranian people witness today represents only a fraction of the IRGC Navy's substantial drone capabilities." Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mark Wallace called Iran's Shahed 136 drone: "The most ubiquitous terror weapon of mass destruction in the world today." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote: "Like clockwork, more Very Scary Satellite Images are being circulated as Iran-U.S. indirect nuclear talks are set to resume." What Happens Next As Iran continues to unveil new military capabilities, Tehran is clearly seeking to strengthen its position ahead of renewed nuclear talks with the U.S., set to resume on May 11 in Oman. The timing aligns with President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to the Middle East, where Iran's expanding military footprint and nuclear ambitions are expected to dominate the regional security agenda.
