Russia is intensifying its drone campaign against Ukraine, with Kyiv, Odesa and other regions facing repeated attacks. A Russian drone also struck an evacuated Kyiv-Warsaw train near Ukraine's border with Poland, raising fresh concerns about the expanding reach of the aerial campaign.  
At the centre of the new threat are jet-powered Shahed-type drones, known in Russia as Gerans. Now the older Shahed-136 drones flew at roughly 180 km/h, while newer jet-powered versions have reportedly reached around 483 km/h. The higher speed reduces interception time and can force Ukraine to use more expensive air-defence systems.

Russia torments Ukraine with new horror weapon | Watch why jet powered are unstoppable 

Russia has launched another major wave of drone attacks across Ukraine, with strikes reported in the Kyiv region, Zaporizhzhia and other areas as the Kremlin's aerial campaign intensifies.

In the Kyiv region, Ukrainian authorities reported casualties and extensive damage to warehouses, homes, apartment buildings and vehicles. One warehouse worker said two Shahed drones struck the facility, with a second drone reportedly hitting after emergency crews arrived. Ukrainian officials described the incident as a possible double-tap attack targeting first responders.

Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Kyiv as authorities warned residents about worsening air quality following the attacks.

In Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones reportedly struck a major shopping and home-improvement complex, triggering a massive fire that spread across thousands of square meters. Several people were reportedly injured, while rescue operations faced the threat of further attacks.

The latest strikes are part of a wider Russian campaign targeting Ukrainian logistics, warehouses, distribution facilities and other infrastructure.

On the eastern front, Ukrainian forces say Russian troops are positioned just several kilometres away from key defensive areas around the Donbas fortress belt, increasing pressure on the battlefield.

Russia has also claimed that its air defenses intercepted or destroyed 512 Ukrainian drones across multiple Russian regions, Crimea and the Black Sea. Russian-installed authorities in Sevastopol also reported damage to a residential building and injuries.

Russia-Ukraine War | Massive Russian Drone Wave Hits Kyiv | Double-Tap Attack Reported

Shahed drones, F-14 fighter jets, and Haj Qasem missile: Weapons Iran has reportedly used in the war

Iran is reportedly using a mix of advanced and legacy weapons in the ongoing war, including Shahed kamikaze drones, Haj Qasem ballistic missiles, and aging F-14 fighter jets. These systems highlight Iran’s strategy of combining low-cost drone swarms with precision missile strikes

In the widening US-Israel war with Iran, Iranian Shahed drones have emerged as a potent and persistent threat to U.S. and allied forces across the Middle East. These low-cost, one-way attack UAVs, chiefly the Shahed-136 and similar variants can fly low and slow, making them harder to detect and intercept with radar and prompting U.S. defence officials to acknowledge they pose a bigger challenge than anticipated.


US-Israel in War with Iran: Shahed Drones Emerge As a Big Headache for US Military 

In the widening US-Israel war with Iran, Iranian Shahed drones have emerged as a potent and persistent threat to U.S. and allied forces across the Middle East. These low-cost, one-way attack UAVs, chiefly the Shahed-136 and similar variants can fly low and slow, making them harder to detect and intercept with radar and prompting U.S. defence officials to acknowledge they pose a bigger challenge than anticipated.

US-Israel in War with Iran: Shahed Drones Emerge As a Big Headache for US Military

US President Donald Trump is apparently asking a war-ravaged nation for help in his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise attack on Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 4) revealed that the US has asked for Kyiv's "help in defending against Shahed drones". Notably, Ukraine for the last four years has been engaged in a war with its neighbour, Russia. What is Trump asking of Ukraine? Here's what we know.<h2>US turns to Ukraine for help</h2>Zelensky, in his nightly address on Wednesday, revealed that America and its allies are asking Ukraine for help in defending themselves against the Iranian threat."Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," he said. Singling out the US, he noted, "There have also been requests from the American side".On X, Zelensky confirmed that US has asked Ukraine for help. “They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request from Europeans and from the United States,” he wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We received signals from partners in the Middle East. There have been strikes by Iranian “shaheds” on civilians in those countries. They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request…&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2029470937695781108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes as multiple military experts flagged the many risks America faces in this war in the Middle East. On one hand, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr., the former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the US could run out of interceptor stocks in "a matter of days". On the other hand, during a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, top military officials led by the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, told lawmakers that while US defences can destroy most of Iran's drones, stopping every single drone may not be possible for the US military.<h2>Trump-Zelensky: Enemies to friends</h2>The POTUS, since his comeback to the White House, has sparred with the Ukrainian president multiple times. In February 2025, Trump made the headlines for poking fun at Zelensky's clothes and complaining about him not wearing a suit to the Oval Office. "Ooh, you're all dressed up. He's all dressed up today!" Trump said at the time.In later months, he even labelled Zelensky a "dictator" and blamed Kyiv for "millions" of deaths during the Russia-Ukraine war. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Who is the US turning to for help in the war with Iran? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Washington has asked Kyiv for expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, a threat Ukraine has faced for years.

What exactly is the US seeking and why now? Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump is apparently asking a war-ravaged nation for help in his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise attack on Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 4) revealed that the US has asked for Kyiv's "help in defending against Shahed drones". Notably, Ukraine for the last four years has been engaged in a war with its neighbour, Russia. What is Trump asking of Ukraine? Here's what we know. US turns to Ukraine for help Zelensky, in his nightly address on Wednesday, revealed that America and its allies are asking Ukraine for help in defending themselves against the Iranian threat. "Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," he said. Singling out the US, he noted, "There have also been requests from the American side". On X, Zelensky confirmed that US has asked Ukraine for help. “They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request from Europeans and from the United States,” he wrote.

Who is the US turning to for help in the war with Iran? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Washington has asked Kyiv for expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, a threat Ukraine has faced for years.What exactly is the US seeking and why now? Scroll down to read more.

Trump turns to THIS war-torn ally to solve the 'Shahed' drone crisis as Iran ramps up attacks

A former top US military commander has warned that Washington could lose a critical "race against time" with Iran if American interceptor missile stocks begin to run dry. Speaking to The Times, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. said that the outcome of the conflict could depend on a simple question: Which side runs out of weapons first? The former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned that the US could run out of interceptor stocks in "a matter of days". What does it mean for the US-Israel joint military operation against Iran? All you need to know.<h2>'A race against time'</h2>Appearing on The Times’s The General &amp; The Journalist podcast, Winnefeld, who happens to be the most senior figure yet to speak out critically about the war warned that the US was engaged in a "race against time".Iran, he said, is relying heavily on cheap drones and missile barrages aimed at US bases and allied targets in the region. The United States, meanwhile, must rely on far more expensive air defence interceptors to shoot them down.The imbalance, he suggested, could become a serious problem. "It’s the sophisticated air defence munitions that I would be worrying about right now — the Patriots, the AMRAAM missiles that are out there," he said."Do we have enough of those in a race against Iran’s inventory of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles? Who runs out first? It’s a race against time."<h2>The cost of shooting down drones</h2>According to the US’s Central Command (Centcom), till Wednesday (Mar 4), Iran had launched more than 500 missiles and 2,000 drones. This includes the Shahed drone, which, according to Winnefeld cost somewhere around $20,000 compared to the interceptors used to destroy them, such as the Patriot missile system, which can cost millions."There is also an economic disparity between shooting down a $20,000 Shahed drone with a $4 million missile," he noted."You start to run out very quickly," he said. "You’ll run out of those Patriots probably before Iran runs out of Shaheds."Notably, before the war, Tehran was believed to possess roughly 4,000 short and long-range missiles along with tens of thousands of Shahed drones.<h2>American stockpile dwindling</h2>Reports suggest that the issue had already been raised inside the Pentagon by top US generals. During a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill Tuesday, top military officials led by the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, told lawmakers that Iran has been deploying large numbers of one-way attack drones in recent days. As per The Guardian, they warned that while US defences can destroy most of them, stopping every single drone may not be possible for the US military.American stockpiles had already been strained in recent years. The US used large numbers of interceptors to defend Israel during last year's 12-day war with Iran and has also supplied significant weapons shipments to Ukraine.<h2>White House pushes back</h2>Despite the concerns, the Trump administration insists that US stockpiles remain strong. Trump wrote on social media earlier this week that American reserves of “medium and upper medium grade” munitions were “virtually unlimited,” dismissing reports of shortages.At a press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message.“We have weapon stockpiles in places that many in this world don’t even know about,” she said, adding that the United States has more than enough weapons to sustain a prolonged conflict.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Is the US at risk of running out of interceptor missiles in the war with Iran? Former top US commander Sandy Winnefeld has warned it could become a “race against time,” as cheap Iranian drones face costly US interceptors. 

What does it mean for the US? Scroll down to read more.

A former top US military commander has warned that Washington could lose a critical "race against time" with Iran if American interceptor missile stocks begin to run dry. Speaking to The Times, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. said that the outcome of the conflict could depend on a simple question: Which side runs out of weapons first? The former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned that the US could run out of interceptor stocks in "a matter of days". What does it mean for the US-Israel joint military operation against Iran? All you need to know. 'A race against time' Appearing on The Times’s The General & The Journalist podcast, Winnefeld, who happens to be the most senior figure yet to speak out critically about the war warned that the US was engaged in a "race against time". Iran, he said, is relying heavily on cheap drones and missile barrages aimed at US bases and allied targets in the region. The United States, meanwhile, must rely on far more expensive air defence interceptors to shoot them down. The imbalance, he suggested, could become a serious problem. "It’s the sophisticated air defence munitions that I would be worrying about right now — the Patriots, the AMRAAM missiles that are out there," he said. "Do we have enough of those in a race against Iran’s inventory of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles? Who runs out first? It’s a race against time." The cost of shooting down drones According to the US’s Central Command (Centcom), till Wednesday (Mar 4), Iran had launched more than 500 missiles and 2,000 drones. This includes the Shahed drone, which, according to Winnefeld cost somewhere around $20,000 compared to the interceptors used to destroy them, such as the Patriot missile system, which can cost millions. "There is also an economic disparity between shooting down a $20,000 Shahed drone with a $4 million missile," he noted. "You start to run out very quickly," he said. "You’ll run out of those Patriots probably before Iran runs out of Shaheds." Notably, before the war, Tehran was believed to possess roughly 4,000 short and long-range missiles along with tens of thousands of Shahed drones. American stockpile dwindling Reports suggest that the issue had already been raised inside the Pentagon by top US generals. During a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill Tuesday, top military officials led by the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, told lawmakers that Iran has been deploying large numbers of one-way attack drones in recent days. As per The Guardian, they warned that while US defences can destroy most of them, stopping every single drone may not be possible for the US military. American stockpiles had already been strained in recent years. The US used large numbers of interceptors to defend Israel during last year's 12-day war with Iran and has also supplied significant weapons shipments to Ukraine. White House pushes back Despite the concerns, the Trump administration insists that US stockpiles remain strong. Trump wrote on social media earlier this week that American reserves of “medium and upper medium grade” munitions were “virtually unlimited,” dismissing reports of shortages. At a press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message. “We have weapon stockpiles in places that many in this world don’t even know about,” she said, adding that the United States has more than enough weapons to sustain a prolonged conflict. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Is the US at risk of running out of interceptor missiles in the war with Iran? Former top US commander Sandy Winnefeld has warned it could become a “race against time,” as cheap Iranian drones face costly US interceptors.&nbsp;What does it mean for the US? Scroll down to read more.

'Race against time': Can US's Patriot, THAAD missiles outlast Iran’s Shahed drone swarms? Top military commander warns...

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues despite Trump's pressure to stop the killings, recent satellite images provided by Planet Labs show that Russia is turning the parts of Ukraine it occupies into a giant military base and a potential launch pad for future aggression, Ukraine's local Kyiv Independent reported.&nbsp;It noted that Russia's forces in the occupied territories, particularly in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, are turning civilian infrastructures into bases where they can let their soldiers stay.&nbsp;From this location, they will also transport ammunition and launch their drones from closer than ever to Ukrainian-held territory, according to a Kyiv Independent report.&nbsp;Donetsk International Airport is one of the finest examples of this. As per the satellite images, a sudden buildup on the foundations of the old airport. This airport was one of the last holdouts for Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk until Russian-backed partisans overtook it at the end of 2014.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-efforts-in-vain-russia-says-no-meeting-planned-between-putin-zelensky-russia-ukraine-war-1755865781805">Also read: Trump's efforts in vain? Russia says 'no meeting planned' between Putin, Zelensky</a>&nbsp;The April footage showed that the airport looked exactly as desolate as it was since it was captured. However, at the end of July, Russian forces had repaved the landing strip.&nbsp;Vadym Hlushko, founder of Ukrainian OSINT project Kiberboroshno, said that the new airport structures are all a launchpad for the ever-expanding flocks of Russia's long-range drones.&nbsp;"This is the so-called ramshackle infrastructure — garages for storing and launching kamikaze drones of the 'Shahed' type. In addition to the main launch installations, they also set up so-called 'decoys' — fake launch positions and false locations," Hlushko told the Kyiv Independent.He further warned that launches from Donetsk Airport may even allow Shaheds to fly armed with artillery shells, which they can drop along the way to their final kamikaze attack.&nbsp;

From this location, they will also transport ammunition and launch their drones from closer than ever to Ukrainian-held territory, according to a Kyiv Independent report.

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues despite Trump's pressure to stop the killings, recent satellite images provided by Planet Labs show that Russia is turning the parts of Ukraine it occupies into a giant military base and a potential launch pad for future aggression, Ukraine's local Kyiv Independent reported. It noted that Russia's forces in the occupied territories, particularly in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, are turning civilian infrastructures into bases where they can let their soldiers stay. From this location, they will also transport ammunition and launch their drones from closer than ever to Ukrainian-held territory, according to a Kyiv Independent report. Donetsk International Airport is one of the finest examples of this. As per the satellite images, a sudden buildup on the foundations of the old airport. This airport was one of the last holdouts for Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk until Russian-backed partisans overtook it at the end of 2014. Also read: Trump's efforts in vain? Russia says 'no meeting planned' between Putin, Zelensky The April footage showed that the airport looked exactly as desolate as it was since it was captured. However, at the end of July, Russian forces had repaved the landing strip. Vadym Hlushko, founder of Ukrainian OSINT project Kiberboroshno, said that the new airport structures are all a launchpad for the ever-expanding flocks of Russia's long-range drones. "This is the so-called ramshackle infrastructure — garages for storing and launching kamikaze drones of the 'Shahed' type. In addition to the main launch installations, they also set up so-called 'decoys' — fake launch positions and false locations," Hlushko told the Kyiv Independent. He further warned that launches from Donetsk Airport may even allow Shaheds to fly armed with artillery shells, which they can drop along the way to their final kamikaze attack.

From this location, they will also transport ammunition and launch their drones from closer than ever to Ukrainian-held territory, according to a Kyiv Independent report.

'To store Shahed-type kamikaze drones': Russia turning occupied Ukraine into big military base for future attacks

Ukraine has formally raised concerns with the Indian government and the European Union over electronic components manufactured or assembled in India being found in Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces, suggest reports citing people familiar with the matter. Ukrainian authorities have reportedly sent at least two diplomatic notes to India's external affairs ministry since last year, after Indian-origin parts were identified in Shahed-136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The issue reportedly was also flagged during EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan's visit to New Delhi in July, where he briefed Indian officials on the EU's latest sanctions package targeting Russian energy interests.Previously, in a post on Telegram and Facebook on 7 April, 2025, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said, “For the first time, a component made in India — a clock buffer from Aura Semiconductor — was found in a Russian weapon.”

<h2>What did the Indian government say on the issue?</h2>The GOI is yet to issue a formal statement on the issue. Previously, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's dual-use exports are governed by a "robust legal and regulatory framework". In a statement, he said that "India's exports of dual-use items are in keeping with its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust domestic legal and regulatory framework. Due diligence is conducted to ensure that such exports do not violate any of our laws".<h2>‘Deeply disturbed’ by reports of Indian parts in Russian drones</h2>As per a Hindustan Times report, documents show that a Ukrainian investigation found Indian-assembled or manufactured parts from Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor inside the Shahed drones. These included a Vishay "bridge rectifier E300359" assembled in India and used in the drone's voltage regulator unit and an Aura Semiconductor "AU5426A" signal generator chip used in the drone's satellite navigation antenna.Both companies maintain they comply with all export regulations. In a statement issued in April, Aura Semiconductor, based in Bengaluru, said it was "deeply disturbed" by the possible diversion of its products to conflict zones. "We are deeply disturbed by the possibility that any of our components may have reached defence manufacturers through unauthorised third-party channels, in violation of our stated compliance framework and distribution agreements. We strongly oppose such activity and are committed to taking action wherever compliance gaps are identified," it said. You can find the full statement <a href="https://www.aurasemi.com/about/parts-statement.htm">here</a>.Kishore Ganti, co-founder of Aura Semiconductor Pvt Ltd said that the firm conducted a limit audit" but could not trace the end-user because it was a "plug and play" component. “The findings of the audit were inconclusive with respect to supply chain/end-user visibility of the Aura buffer product.”As per the report, after Ukraine raised the issue, security agencies have since visited electronics manufacturers in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to raise awareness about international restrictions related to dual-use items. Officials familiar with the issue said components may have reached Russia via third countries in West Asia after being legally exported from India. Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency has also flagged components from US and Chinese firms found in Russian military hardware.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-hundreds-of-russian-uavs-downed-by-drone-strikes-1754328535199/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-hundreds-of-russian-uavs-downed-by-drone-strikes-1754328535199/embed</a>&nbsp;

Ukrainian authorities have reportedly sent at least two diplomatic notes to India's external affairs ministry since last year, after Indian-origin parts were identified in Shahed-136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). 

Ukraine has formally raised concerns with the Indian government and the European Union over electronic components manufactured or assembled in India being found in Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces, suggest reports citing people familiar with the matter. Ukrainian authorities have reportedly sent at least two diplomatic notes to India's external affairs ministry since last year, after Indian-origin parts were identified in Shahed-136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The issue reportedly was also flagged during EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan's visit to New Delhi in July, where he briefed Indian officials on the EU's latest sanctions package targeting Russian energy interests. Previously, in a post on Telegram and Facebook on 7 April, 2025, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said, “For the first time, a component made in India — a clock buffer from Aura Semiconductor — was found in a Russian weapon.”

Ukrainian authorities have reportedly sent at least two diplomatic notes to India's external affairs ministry since last year, after Indian-origin parts were identified in Shahed-136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).&nbsp;

Ukraine claims 'Made in India' components in Russia's Shahed drones, raises issue with New Delhi and EU: Report

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US-Israel in War with Iran: Shahed Drones Emerge As a Big Headache for US Military

Trump asking THIS war-torn nation for help dealing with Iran

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