Most dangerous target: "Flash" explains why some Shahed drones circle during attacks
A Shahed drone that spends a long time circling overhead is not idle but serves as a relay platform for other attack drones. Its role is to keep a control link with Russia and sustain the effectiveness of follow-up strikes.
Shahed
Why some Russian Shahed kamikaze drones circle the sky for extended periods, misleading military personnel and air defense operators.
Ukrainian radio technology specialist Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov explained this.
According to him, such drones are not circling due to Ukrainian electronic warfare, software failures or waiting for signals from other drones. Instead, they represent a separate modification — a Shahed relay drone functioning as part of a MESH network.
Its role is to move farther from the border and relay control signals from Russian territory deep into Ukraine, providing a stable link for other Shahed attack drones heading inland.
This is why the relay drone can spend extended periods circling in the air, sustaining communications for follow-up drone waves.
Beskrestnov emphasizes that such a drone is a high-priority target, as the effectiveness of other Shahed attacks rises sharply while it stays in air.
“It may look harmless, even like a foolish target, but in reality it should be shot down first,” he said.