«Shaheds» carrying missiles: General discusses Ukrainian Air Defense capability

Russia has deployed the «Shahed» kamikaze drone armed with an R‑60 air-to-air missile for the first time, posing a new threat to Ukrainian helicopters.

Army General and former Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Mykola Malomuzh said this to 24 Kanal.

According to him, Russia is actively learning and trying to make it more difficult to shoot down its drones by adding new weapon components. The appearance of the R‑60 missile on the «Shahed» is another step in increasing their threat.

The expert stresses that Ukraine needs to develop solutions to neutralize this threat, including boosting air defenses and strengthening its domestic military-industrial capabilities.

Malomuzh clarifies that «Shaheds» carrying R‑60 missiles could theoretically target Ukrainian helicopters and other aerial assets. But the added weight likely slows the drones, giving Ukrainian air defenses a chance to intercept them.

The general stresses the need to pinpoint the drone launch sites. Identifying these locations together with partners and targeting them is a key step in reducing the threat.

The expert stresses that Ukraine should primarily strengthen its air defenses, purchase additional systems, expand its domestic military-industrial capabilities to find new solutions, intensify strikes on «Shahed» launch sites, and actively deploy anti-drone technologies.

He added that the appearance of modified drones shows that Russia continues to experiment and upgrade its weapons, meaning Ukraine must act proactively.