Ukrainian forces recently uncovered debris from a new type of Russian drone unlike anything they’d seen before. Found among the wreckage of a nighttime airstrike, the white-colored aircraft featured advanced artificial intelligence, an operator-controlled radio link, and a key technological upgrade: a state-of-the-art Iranian-made anti-jamming system.
This latest discovery underscores Moscow’s deepening reliance on Iranian drone technology—and its efforts to modernize and localize production within Russia itself. According to Ukrainian electronics expert Serhii Beskrestnov, known widely as “Flash,” the drone bore labeling and internal components consistent with Iranian manufacturing standards, not Russian. That points to a likely collaboration between Tehran and Moscow, possibly involving the sale of advanced systems for real-time battlefield testing in Ukraine.
An Evolving Threat in Ukraine’s Skies
Russia has used Iranian-designed Shahed drones to bombard Ukraine almost nightly since 2022, often flooding the skies with a mix of decoy drones and explosive-laden variants. But the new white drone marks a shift—not only in color but in capability. Equipped with AI and a high-grade camera, the aircraft can be guided remotely from Russian territory and potentially redirected mid-flight—capabilities previous versions lacked.
Most notably, the drone’s anti-jamming system appears to be a new Iranian development. “There were eight antennas on this one,” Beskrestnov noted, “double the usual amount. That makes it far harder for Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems to neutralize.”
This leap in drone sophistication comes amid growing concerns that Russia’s tactics are evolving as fast as its technology. The U.K. Ministry of Defense warned that Israel’s ongoing strikes on Iranian military infrastructure may eventually disrupt the supply of drones and components to Russia—but for now, the technological transfers already made could sustain Russia’s program.
A Russian-Iranian Drone Pipeline
Russia’s Shahed drones are built under license—or at least close cooperation—with Iran. In 2022, Russia received hundreds of disassembled Iranian drones under a $1.7 billion deal. Since then, Russia has localized production at the tightly guarded Alabuga facility in Tatarstan, central Russia.
From there, Moscow has iterated on Iran’s original designs. Leaked documents previously reported by the AP describe a Russian initiative known as “Operation False Target,” which equipped drones with decoys to confuse Ukrainian defenses. Other upgrades include thermobaric warheads and experimental jet-propelled variants, capable of causing devastating internal injuries through shockwaves and heat.
However, jet-powered Shahed drones—while impressive—remain rare. Experts like Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies suggest that Iran’s complex jet engines are too expensive for regular use, especially when alternatives from China or simpler propeller models suffice.
The drone found most recently by Ukrainian forces seems designed for high-value targets, possibly electrical grids or command centers. It carried a powerful AI platform that would allow it to continue flying even if communications are lost, according to Beskrestnov. That same autonomous capability was employed by Ukraine in its own drone raids deep into Russian airspace earlier this year under “Operation Spiderweb.”
Moscow’s Shifting Tactics
It’s not just hardware that’s changing. Russia is also modifying how it uses drones in the war. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Shaheds are now flying at varying altitudes to evade both radar and small-arms fire. In some cases, they dive-bomb targets from above, or arrive in large groups to overwhelm air defenses.
The strategy is increasingly effective.
Data compiled by the AP from nearly a year of Ukrainian Air Force reports show a stark improvement in Russian drone strike accuracy. In November 2024, only about 6% of drones hit identifiable targets. By June 2025, that figure had climbed to 16%, with some nights seeing up to 50% of drones slipping past defenses.
That surge began shortly after President Donald Trump took office in January and intensified around March—coinciding with reports of Shaheds equipped with advanced jammers.
The Ministry of Defense attributes this rise in effectiveness to a combination of factors: more drones being launched (including decoys), improved electronics, and sophisticated flight tactics.
Sanctions and the Road Ahead
Both Iran and Russia remain under heavy international sanctions, but their drone programs continue to incorporate Western and Chinese components. That includes AI chips, sensors, and communication modules—despite efforts to cut off supply chains.
The long-term impact of Israel’s campaign against Iran remains uncertain. While Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites may eventually hamper production, experts say Russia has already imported much of the technical expertise it needs to keep building drones domestically.
“Russia is not fully dependent on Iran anymore,” said David Albright, a weapons expert at the Institute for Science and International Security. “But if Iran’s factories stop supplying things like advanced engines or anti-jamming systems, that will certainly be felt down the road.”
Still, Moscow’s ability to innovate—turning Iranian blueprints into lethal, locally built weapons—means the skies over Ukraine are likely to remain contested. And with new drones already incorporating AI, remote control, and hardened electronic systems, defending against them is becoming an ever-tougher challenge.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that around 6% of drones hit discernible targets in November 2022. The correct date is November 2024.Contributors: Lydia Doye (London), Volodymyr Yurchuk and Illia Novikov (Kyiv), Sam Mednick (Tel Aviv)
Photo Credit: AP / Evgeniy Maloletka – Rescue workers respond to drone strike in Kyiv, June 10, 2025.
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