{"id":126542,"date":"2024-11-16T14:55:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-16T07:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=126542"},"modified":"2024-11-16T14:55:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T07:55:51","slug":"operation-false-target-how-russia-plotted-to-mix-a-deadly-new-weapon-among-decoy-drones-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=126542","title":{"rendered":"Operation False Target: How Russia plotted to mix a deadly new weapon among decoy drones in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) \u2014 At a secretive factory in Russia\u2019s central grasslands, engineers are manufacturing hundreds of decoy drones meant to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses as they try to protect against a horrific new weapon, an Associated Press investigation has found.<\/p>\n<p>The plant at Russia\u2019s Alabuga Special Economic Zone recently started churning out thermobaric drones alongside the decoys, the investigation found. The thermobaric warheads create a vortex of high pressure and heat that can penetrate thick walls. They suck out all the oxygen in their path, and have a fearsome reputation because of the injuries inflicted even outside the initial blast site: Collapsed lungs, crushed eyeballs, brain damage. <\/p>\n<p>Russia came up with the plan for decoys in late 2022 and codenamed it Operation False Target, according to a person familiar with Russia\u2019s drone production who spoke on condition of anonymity because the industry is highly sensitive. The idea was to launch armed drones along with <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-missiles-drones-bombs-098885dc87ac4ffbeecdc537650a85b0\">dozens of decoys<\/a><\/span>, sometimes stuffed with rags or foam, and indistinguishable on radar from those carrying real bombs. Ukrainian forces must make split-second decisions about how to expend scarce resources to save lives and preserve critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-dd0000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e8ba547\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/2c3ab63\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c049503\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/75259b9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d87539a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d88c42e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a832016\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/82c3490\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d886f94\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/6b6358a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/780ed03\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1c503f2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/780ed03\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1c503f2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/780ed03\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5010x3340+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3d%2Fc8%2F0ad66044a22b7f317bef5c176599%2F5211c519450c405fab9b939e4544c813\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>Serhii Beskrestnov, more widely known as Flash, a Ukrainian electronics expert, who hunts drones for the military, stands near his kitted-out black van in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo\/Hanna Arhirova)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe idea was to make a drone which would create a feeling of complete uncertainty for the enemy. So he doesn\u2019t know whether it\u2019s really a deadly weapon &#8230; or essentially a foam toy,\u201d the person said. With the thermobarics, there is now a \u201chuge risk\u201d an armed drone could deviate from its course and end up in a residential area where the \u201cdamage will be simply terrifying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2>Russia\u2019s drone factory<\/h2>\n<p>In recent weeks, decoys have filled Ukraine\u2019s skies by the dozens, each one appearing as an indistinguishable blip on military radar screens. During the first weekend of November, the Kyiv region spent 20 hours under air alert, and the sound of <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-iran-drone-factory-ukraine-war-dfdfb4602fecb0fe65935cb24c82421a\">buzzing<\/a><\/span> drones mingled with the boom of air defenses and rifle shots. <\/p>\n<p>Unarmed decoys now make up more than half the <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-drones-bombs-missiles-c10b8419748e8874f331ea185439c8b5\">drones targeting Ukraine<\/a><\/span>, according to the person and Serhii Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian electronics expert whose black military van is kitted out with electronic jammers to down drones. <\/p>\n<p>Both the unarmed decoys and the armed Iranian-designed Shahed drones are being built at a factory in Russia\u2019s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, an industrial complex set up in 2006 about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) east of Moscow to attract businesses and investment to Tatarstan. It expanded after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and some sectors switched to military production, <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7\"> adding new buildings<\/a><\/span> and renovating existing sites, according to satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-fullwidth=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageTwoUpEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<picture data-crop=\"twoup-3x2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/47e237f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2692+0+4\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5045d82\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2692+0+4\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 2x\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c884432\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2692+0+4\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5d81d6b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2692+0+4\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/b98c070\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7524a4e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 2x\"><source width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0cf791e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/176b673\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0cf791e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/176b673\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71 2x\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0cf791e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4042x2693+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F43644ae15463d6805c9a86884293%2F20a2585d4e684c2c9c2052b55b8fde71\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<p><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">Flames and smoke rise from a residential building after the attack of Russian drones in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<picture data-crop=\"twoup-3x2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7579083\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2824+0+4\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0af9e38\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2824+0+4\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 2x\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/acde65f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2824+0+4\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8a213a3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2824+0+4\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cdafed1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0e499de\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 2x\"><source width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/dcf1aeb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/282837a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/dcf1aeb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/282837a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c 2x\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/dcf1aeb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2825+0+4\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2F80%2F8e78f90ee517eba45725f8e852ee%2Fc2f13d8b118841d0b4d16d08fca0aa0c\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<p><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">A couple comforts each other while looking at the fire in a residential building after the attack of Russian drones in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-de0000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d6a9c3a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/6b6904c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1a363ea\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/38e389c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a10fb4d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1aa20ec\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/deb8472\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/b70d1ab\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4df915c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/ff96f49\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/bcb7254\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5319d41\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/bcb7254\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5319d41\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/bcb7254\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4105x2742+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcf%2F75%2F368dde2e8a885d454d7df5a86cc8%2F3bc746d882ea4df393cb1039231f2e40\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>Local residents look up at the fire in a residential building after an attack of Russian drones in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In social media videos, the factory promotes itself as an innovation hub. But David Albright of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security said Alabuga\u2019s current purpose is purely to produce and sell drones to Russia\u2018s Ministry of Defense. The videos and other promotional media were taken down after an AP investigation found that many of the <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-drones-shahed-africans-11602ab837f0ff4635926d884b422185\">African women recruited<\/a><\/span> to fill labor shortages there complained they were duped into taking jobs at the plant.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-middle-east-iran-united-states-d7802180c7ecbdbe5cd06ee72c6d18f7\">Russia and Iran<\/a><\/span> signed a $1.7 billion deal for the Shaheds in 2022, after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, and Moscow began using Iranian imports of the unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, in battle later that year. Soon after the deal was signed, production started in Alabuga. <\/p>\n<p>In October, Moscow attacked with at least 1,889 drones \u2013 80% more than in August, according to an AP analysis tracking the drones for months. On Saturday, Russia launched 145 drones across Ukraine, just days after the re-election of Donald Trump threw into doubt U.S. support for the country.<\/p>\n<p>Since summer, most drones crash, are shot down or are diverted by electronic jamming, according to an AP analysis of Ukrainian military briefings. Less than 6% hit a discernible target, according to the data analyzed by AP since the end of July. But the sheer numbers mean a handful can slip through every day \u2013 and that is enough to be deadly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-160000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d6e3449\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/b6fa8e3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d33cd79\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e0e6b61\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1a9daee\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 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srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1379830\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f814293\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f1594b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/700b956\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f1594b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/700b956\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f1594b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4060x2712+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe2%2Fb2%2Ff53b68215571a3a8778394085379%2Fd75b86d8a76e44569f3d66a7943460e4\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>A medical emergency team collects the body of a victim who died after the Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Daily drone swarms <\/h2>\n<p>The swarms have become a demoralizing fact of life for Ukrainians. <\/p>\n<p>Russian drone tactics continue to evolve. Now, more powerful missiles often follow close behind as air defenses are exhausted by the drones. The most destructive are the ballistic and cruise missiles that fly many times faster than the drones, which buzz loudly and can be tracked by the naked eye. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-right=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-e50000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-small-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"350\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5ae88f1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/350x368!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/996b856\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/700x736!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"350\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/64e4beb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/350x368!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/62fe902\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/700x736!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e6dc942\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/599x629!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8bc09e4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/1198x1258!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/37af938\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/599x629!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cfdccfc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/1198x1258!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/37af938\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/599x629!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cfdccfc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/1198x1258!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/37af938\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5400x5671+0+0\/resize\/599x629!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe5%2F68%2Ffaf1293399cdb2a67d001e99de78%2F64f8eea099ca46cb9cd4c72f63cd8915\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>A Ukrainian officer, callsign Raccoon, shows a thermobaric charge of a downed Shahed drone launched by Russia in a research laboratory in an undisclosed location in Ukraine Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo\/Efrem Lukatsky)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Even the decoys can be useful to Russia. One decoy with a live-feed camera allows the aircraft to geolocate Ukraine\u2019s air defenses and relay the information to Russia in the final moments of its mechanical life. <\/p>\n<p>Night after night, Ukrainian sharpshooters spring into action to down the drones with portable surface-to-air missiles.<\/p>\n<p>One sharpshooter, who like most Ukrainian soldiers asked to be identified by his call-sign Rosmaryn, said he\u2019s shot down perhaps a dozen drones in all over nearly two years and saw one that was stuffed with rags and foam. Rosmaryn sees his adversary in almost human terms, describing the aircraft\u2019s quest to outwit his small unit. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was part of a swarm, flying as one of the last ones,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen it\u2019s in the sky, we can\u2019t tell what kind it is, because everything is inside the drone. We only find out after it\u2019s shot down.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Many fly at 2,000 to 3,000 meters (6,500 feet to around 10,000 feet) before dropping to lower altitudes on their final approach, Rosmaryn said. Leaked videos suggest Ukraine is now using helicopters to shoot down the high-altitude drones.<\/p>\n<p>Three decoys of Russian origin have crashed in Moldova in the past week, authorities there said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-c10000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c3cda5a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8fcf82d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f2dc2ed\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/ec5a87e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8b43ab5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/3711b4c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/74e31cc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7e6ae82\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9175075\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8119f09\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/22e568a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/57e8a2d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/22e568a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/57e8a2d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/22e568a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2F8e%2F82ab40654cc3c10dab4c6b5c9a15%2F28594f3a03b54bea84b7e073475ff08d\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>Flames and smoke rise from a residential building after the attack of Russian drones in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Thanks to optical trickery, radar can\u2019t distinguish a drone armed with a <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-iran-drones-un-sanctions-98cc967c16265836ce4b004b29703cfd\">Shahed\u2019s usual 50-kilogram payload<\/a><\/span> of explosives or with a thermobaric weapon \u2013 also known as a vacuum bomb \u2013 from those without a warhead or topped with live-feed surveillance cameras. There are also other even rougher-quality drones, armed and unarmed, but in fewer quantities than the Shahed-style unmanned aircraft. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why, even knowing that decoys now make up most of an incoming swarm, Ukraine can\u2019t afford to let anything through. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor us, it\u2019s just a point on the radar \u2026 It has speed, direction, and altitude,\u201d said Col. Yurii Ihnat, an Air Force spokesman. \u201cWe have no way of identifying the exact target during flight, so we have to either jam them with electronic warfare or use firepower to neutralize them. The enemy uses these to scatter our attention.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ea0000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9b9a905\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/113d595\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/37ffb37\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/91ed166\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1293951\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/63cd830\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a1a9995\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8784158\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/83db4cc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a2c4bb4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/104660d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a55f1cd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/104660d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a55f1cd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/104660d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7439x4959+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F89%2F0a%2Fb952e26459459b55828c615c0785%2F3942a37c95204924ba0de72c2e7683e2\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>A Ukrainian officer examines a downed Shahed drone with thermobaric charge launched by Russia in a research laboratory in an undisclosed location in Ukraine Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo\/Efrem Lukatsky)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The engines and electronics for the armed Shaheds and decoys are a mix of Chinese and Western imports, according to fragments seen by The Associated Press at a Ukrainian military lab. Without them, the drones can\u2019t fly. Despite nearly three years of sanctions, Moscow can still source the parts \u2013 largely from China and via third countries in Central Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Halfway through the series of air alerts on Nov. 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the swarms of Shaheds, which he put at 2,000 for the month of October alone, were made possible by Western technology slipping through sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIncluded in this many Shaheds are more than 170,000 components that should have been blocked for delivery to Russia. Microcircuits, microcontrollers, processors, many different parts, without which this terror would simply be impossible,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n<p>The joint manufacturing of the drones \u2014 some to carry bombs, others to divert attention \u2014 is saving Russia\u2019s military money. Production of the decoys started earlier this year and now the plant turns out about 40 of the cheaper unarmed drones a day and around 10 armed ones, which cost an estimated $50,000 and take longer to produce, according to the person with knowledge of Russian drone production.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-e80000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/b462c86\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/91fe373\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5ae0a46\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/875a244\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4dbd795\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/ac280e3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cec8eaa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/21798ec\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5cb3365\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/55bb4a3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7ae3994\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/2a0ad00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7ae3994\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/2a0ad00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7ae3994\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4040x2698+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffb%2F98%2Fd62525819024d495f7a49f6203fd%2F3ed2e808d91b41a188aab9773b76fac9\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>The internal mechanism of Shahed drone is seen in Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Russian news outlet Izvestia in late October said the aim of the decoy is to \u201dweaken\u201d the enemy by forcing it to waste ammunition before sending in armed Shaheds. <\/p>\n<p>Both Beskrestnov and the person familiar with Russian drone production said engineers at Alabuga are also constantly experimenting, putting Moscow at the cutting edge of drone production. To make electronic interference harder, they add Ukrainian SIM cards, roaming SIMS, Starlinks, fiberoptics \u2013 and can sometimes receive real-time feedback before the drones are jammed, downed or run out of fuel. Sometimes they attach a silver-painted foam ball to make the drone seem larger on a radar.<\/p>\n<p> But the latest thermobaric variant is causing new anguish in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h2>Thermobaric fears<\/h2>\n<p>From a military point of view, <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-kyiv-world-war-ii-europe-military-facilities-5b105b30af83b8c67e6ef854b611faca\">thermobarics are ideal<\/a><\/span> for going after targets that are either inside fortified buildings or deep underground. <\/p>\n<p>Alabuga\u2019s thermobaric drones are particularly destructive when they strike buildings, because they are also loaded with ball bearings to cause maximum damage even beyond the superheated blast, said Albright. <\/p>\n<p>Beskrestnov, who is more widely known as Flash and whose black military van is kitted out with electronic jammers to down drones, said the thermobarics were first used over the summer and estimated they now make up between 3% and 5% of all drones. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-740000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c099396\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a34fa40\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/ce2e472\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e5e5a2f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/b27028b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/059ff01\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/be631cf\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0935404\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1534x1024!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/664d500\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1ea9e2e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cb6dac3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4fbfed8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cb6dac3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4fbfed8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/cb6dac3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4240x2832+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fda%2Fb5%2F425f6efbf155d5f497d3dda7012d%2F58b7f6a136404bdb984f74ea25e3eb4f\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>A worker of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise shows parts of Russian weapons in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis type of warhead has the possibility to destroy a huge building, especially block flats. And it\u2019s very effective if the Russian Federation tries to <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ukraine-energy-russia-airstrikes-greenpeace-1dfe7e60d4f9291f1196afda1a19373a\">attack our power plants<\/a><\/span>,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>They have a fearsome reputation because of the physical effects even on people caught outside the initial blast site, said Arthur van Coller, an expert in international humanitarian law at South Africa\u2019s University of Fort Hare. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith a thermobaric explosion, because of the cloud it would create, everything in its radius would be affected,\u201d he said. \u201cIt creates massive fear in the civilian population. Thermobaric weapons have created this idea that they are really horrible weapons and that creates fear.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ff0000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/aabefda\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/55b3c66\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8bf5abd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/800x534!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9ed7f7b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/1600x1068!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d997627\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/767x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 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1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/72d2e4d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/da7e69c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/72d2e4d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/1198x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/da7e69c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3668x2450+0+0\/resize\/599x400!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Feb%2F1b%2Fcfe92add6bbd03e58d05a274b130%2F7b0579b670604496a1cbaae746a39f34\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>Andrii Kulchytskyi the head of the military research laboratory at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise sits in his workspace in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo\/Alex Babenko)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>___<\/h2>\n<p>Burrows reported from Washington D.C. Stephen McGrath contributed from Sighisoara, Romania.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>\n  window.fbAsyncInit = function() {\n      FB.init({\n              appId : '870613919693099',\n          xfbml : true,\n          version : 'v2.9'\n      });\n  };\n  (function(d, s, id){\n     var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n     if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}\n     js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n     js.src = \"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\";\n     fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n   }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-drones-thermobaric-bombs-decoy-2f904b04fcc5de17549415a974f5a92b\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) \u2014 At a secretive factory in Russia\u2019s central grasslands, engineers are manufacturing hundreds of decoy drones meant to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses as they try to protect against &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=126542\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=126542"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126542\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=126542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=126542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=126542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}