Focused on Logistics: Russia Increased the Number of Attacks With Iranian Shahed-101 Drones

Russian occupation forces are increasingly using Shahed-101 attack drones in the frontline areas.

This was reported by radio technology specialist Serhii Flash, who also published photos of the wreckage of this drone.

According to him, these devices were manufactured in 2024 in Iran and transferred to Russia for attacks on the territory of Ukraine.

Serhii Flash suggests that the Russian side may set up mass production of this type of UAV at its own facilities.

The expert notes that the Shahed-101 model is still being studied, but the available characteristics allow us to assess its potential. It is known that the drone is equipped with a warhead weighing 8-9 kilograms and is capable of covering several hundred kilometers.

It is assumed that the Shahed-101 is intended primarily for strikes on rear targets and logistics routes – the so-called middle strike.

In the military environment, mid-strike means targets that are located at a distance of 100 to 300 kilometers from the front line.

Earlier, analysts from the Landines and Coffee and Sandwiches group, which specializes in explosive ordnance, released additional characteristics of the Shahed-101.

The ‘Little Shahed’ has a cylindrical fuselage, wings located closer to the rear, and four tail feathers in the shape of a cross. It is usually launched using a catapult launcher.

According to estimates, the drone can fly about 800 kilometers (sometimes 600-700 kilometers), climb to an altitude of up to 3000 meters and move at a cruising speed of 120 km/h. The warhead is cylindrical, weighing approximately 8 kg, and is of the cumulative fragmentation type.

General parameters include: wingspan 2.5 m, length 1.6 m, weight 26 kg. The guidance method has not yet been confirmed, but experts suggest a combination of inertial navigation and GPS. According to Serhii Flash, the navigation is carried out using a 4-element CRPA antenna.

The Shahed-101 is actively used by Iran and its allies. In Iraq, it is known as Murad-5 or Morad-5.

The drone bears similarities to the smaller Houthi Khatif-2 and the larger Iranian Meraj-532, with which it is often confused.