Expert: Some Russian attack drones in Ukraine found with warheads disabled
A Russian attack drone discovered in the Nizhyn district of Chernihiv Oblast, October 2025. (Photo: National Police of Ukraine / Telegram)
Among the attack drones Russia uses to strike Ukrainian homes, civilian facilities, and farms, some have been found with their warheads deliberately deactivated, Ukrainian electronic warfare and communications expert Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov said on Oct. 24.
“It happens rarely, but I do come across them,” Beskrestnov, who heads the Center for Radiotechnologies, wrote on his Telegram channel.
He suggested that the warheads may be disabled “intentionally,” adding that such cases indicate that “there are still people with a conscience among Russian servicemen — those who can tell the difference between warfare and terror.”
Addressing Russian drone operators and technicians, Beskrestnov urged them to remember that “the war will end, and you’ll have to live with this for the rest of your life.”
On Oct. 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in just one week, Russia had launched more than 3,270 attack drones, 1,370 guided aerial bombs, and about 50 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
“Almost every day, Russian terrorists carry out hundreds of attacks on our critical and civilian infrastructure,” Zelenskyy wrote, sharing footage from recent strikes.
During the night of Oct. 24, Russia launched 128 drones against Ukraine, including about 90 Shahed-type drones, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. A total of 47 drones hit targets across 10 locations.
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