Ukrainian military and technical expert Serhii Flash has reported a previously unseen modification on russian Shahed-type loitering munitions: the apparent installation of an infrared (IR) illuminator intended to counter Ukrainian air defense drones and aviation.
According to his assessment, this is the first confirmed instance of such a solution being observed on the Shahed drone in operational conditions.
Read more: Half a Million Dollars for a Fake Kill: Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Discloses Details of the Commander Deception (Video)
The reported device appears to function as an IR spotlight, designed to blind or interfere with sensors used by interceptor drones and aircraft operating in the infrared spectrum.
If confirmed, this suggests that russia is actively adapting its long-range strike drones to counter the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian drone-based air defense systems, particularly those relying on thermal and IR guidance.
This development fits into a broader pattern of russian countermeasures aimed at increasing Shahed drone survivability. Over time, these drones have already undergone multiple changes, but the introduction of a dedicated IR countermeasure would represent a notable step toward more specialized defensive configurations.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces carried out a series of successful precision strikes against russian military targets in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region during the night of January 1.
The operation targeted key command, logistics, and unmanned systems infrastructure supporting russian forces in the region.
Read more: Ukrainian SOF Strike Command Post, Fuel Depot, and Shahed UAV Storage in Donetsk Region (Video)
