--- title: "Russia Accused of Pelting Ukraine Capital With “Kamikaze” Drones" description: "Ukraine is asking its Western allies for more weapons after accusing Russia of using \"kamikaze drones\" meant to self-destruct when dropping munitions." date: "2022-10-13" modified: "2022-10-13" authors: - name: "Noor Al-Sibai" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nooralsibai" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-ukraine-kamikaze-drones" categories: - "Drones" - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "drones" - "Russia" - "the digest" - "ukraine" --- # Russia Accused of Pelting Ukraine Capital With “Kamikaze” Drones ![Ukraine is asking its Western allies for more weapons after accusing Russia of using "kamikaze drones" meant to self-destruct when dropping munitions.]() *\Image: TASS\* ## Kamikaze Drones Ukraine is asking its Western allies for more weapons after accusing Russia of using both homemade and Iranian-manufactured "kamikaze drones." As [*CNN* reports](), Ukraine is accusing Russia of targeting its capital of Kyiv with small, self-destructing drones, as well as the cities of Vinnytsia, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, among others. According to the report, Iran tried to sell kamikaze drones to Russia earlier this year. In August, Russia's military [purchased]() some of them and began training service members how to operate them. The Ukrainian military also claims to have shot down similar drones made by Russian defense contractor and weapons manufacturer Kalishnikov. ## Remote Detonation Unlike traditional, weaponized drones that drop munitions and return to whoever is controlling them, these remote-controlled weapons are called "kamikaze" or "suicide" drones because they're disposable and meant to blow up upon detonation. US military officials claim Russia's drones are using obsolete technologies and "have already experienced numerous failures." In late September, Department of Defense official Sasha Baker [told reporters]() that "the idea that \[these drones\] represent some technological leap ahead, frankly we’re just not seeing borne out in the data." ## Ghosts and Switchblades Ukraine has also claimed that Iranian nationals in Russian-controlled parts of the country are training the invading soldiers how to use the weapons, the [*Associated Press* reports](). This could indicate that Russia is running out of its own kamikaze drones. As Department of Defense officials told reporters earlier this week, the kamikaze drone escalation has reemphasized Ukraine's desire for air defense systems. Russia isn't the only side of the conflict making use of the technology. Ukraine has its own homemade kamikaze drones as well, but has primarily been relying on its allies for remote weapons support, including the American-made Switchblade and "[phoenix ghost]()" suicide drones, according to *CNN*. There appears to be no shortage of drone warfare in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, confirming that we've truly entered a new era of warfare. **More war:** [*President Biden Says He's Concerned About Nuclear 'Armageddon'*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've often been drawn to unpacking the narratives that underlie technological, scientific and medical progress, with a special interest in areas of conflict and ambiguity that end up setting agendas and steering the fates of both elites and the hoi polloi. I'm a committed generalist, but I often find myself returning to work involving NASA and the private space sector, the effects of AI on media and society, and the mechanics of the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on the spread of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Prior to Futurism, I worked for publications ranging from Media Matters and Truthdig to Raw Story and Bustle. I'm also the author of "Myspace Scene Queens," a 2024 title in Instar Books' acclaimed "Remember the Internet" series. My work at Futurism has been cited by outlets including the New Yorker, Slate, Nieman Lab, the Verge, the MIT Technology Review, the Sunday Times, and the Daily Beast. I grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. In my free time, I'm an avid reader and music fan; you can probably find me at a local poetry reading, concert, underground rave, or DJ set. I'm the proud parent of an ineffable orange cat named Mee-Mow. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()