Ukrainian Air Force spells out if weather affects Iranian-made drones

Iranian-made kamikaze drones that Russia is using in the war against Ukraine are not sensitive to cold; only no-fly weather and a rapid shift from above-zero to below-zero temperature can have an impact on their use.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force, on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast 

Quote: "Neither frost nor warmth affects those drones’ activity."

Details: Ihnat has denied an assumption that Russians have not used Iranian-made UAVs for a long time because of frost.

According to the spokesperson for the Air Force, only no-fly weather (heavy or stormy wind) and conditions that lead to icing of the device (which happens due to high air humidity in a short time when there is a rapid shift from "plus" to "minus" temperature) can somehow prevent Shahed drones (and manned aircraft) from working.

Nevertheless, no one can say for certain why Russia has not used Iranian-made drones for a few weeks. There are several assumptions: the first batch ended; the Russians preserved those weapons; they have received a new shipment. This is not an issue for Russia as they have a direct connection with Iran over air or sea space of the Caspian Sea.

However, temperature conditions (frost, for instance) cannot be considered a factor of the aggressor not using Shahed kamikaze drones, as Ihnat highlighted. 

Ihnat has also pointed out that Ukrainian air defence cannot shoot down ballistic missiles that Russia may deploy.

"Not Iskander cruise missiles, not S-300 missiles, not Iranian-made ones… Ballistic missiles are currently not able to be shot down with our air defence means. Therefore, the most efficient way of destroying those missiles is at the start, where they are located. Different types of ‘cotton’ [Russian propaganda, initially refusing to use the word ‘vzryv’ (explosion), used ‘khlopok’ (a bang) instead. However, ‘khlopok’ also means ‘cotton’, and this has since become a meme - ed.] can help destroy these missiles. Military and political leadership has an action plan for such a case. I think our partners will also help Ukraine," he said. 

Background:

• Russians have stopped using Iranian-made kamikaze drones in the war against Ukraine for the past several weeks. Yevhenii Sylkin, a spokesman for the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Strategic Communications, has suspected that Russians are less likely to use Iranian drones since they are sensitive to frost.
• The South of Ukraine was attacked with 15 Shahed drones on the night of 9-10 December.
• Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the United Coordination Press Centre of the Defence Forces of Southern Ukraine, believes that the Russians have tried to adapt to weather conditions when using Iranian-made kamikaze drones, as the UAVs are sensitive to cold.

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