Russian forces have modified some of their Shahed-type loitering munitions into large FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones, creating an unusual hybrid of long-range weapon and operator-controlled attack system.
The adaptation was revealed by Ukrainian electronic warfare specialist Serhiy Beskrestnov, known by his callsign “Serhiy Flesh.”
Beskrestnov shared photos and details of one such modified drone, writing: “You can see an antenna on the tail of the Shahed and a camera up front. This is a Shahed with online control that attacked the railway in the Nizhyn area today. The operator made multiple approach runs to find the best impact angle. A large, sluggish FPV with a 50-kilogram warhead, controlled from Russia.”
The photographs show a standard Shahed airframe retrofitted with a front-facing camera and an extended antenna on its rear section—an indication that the drone is guided via real-time video feed.
According to Beskrestnov, the modified drones have been used to target Ukrainian railway infrastructure and other facilities along the northern and eastern border.
These adaptations appear to merge elements of long-range cruise drones and short-range FPV attack systems, giving Russian operators direct visual control during the terminal phase of flight. Analysts note that such a configuration allows more precise targeting but introduces major operational drawbacks.
The Shahed’s airframe was never designed for agile maneuvers or close-range targeting adjustments, and the FPV control link adds vulnerabilities. The radio-control channel has limitations in range and capability — interference, unstable video feed.
These limitations restrict the drone’s ability to operate deep inside Ukrainian territory or in areas with strong electronic warfare coverage. The large, heavy design also makes the drone easier to detect and intercept compared to smaller FPV systems widely used by both sides.
Despite these shortcomings, Russia’s shift toward live-controlled, heavy kamikaze drones highlights the constant evolution of strike technology in the war. The hybrid FPV Shahed, though cumbersome, could enable more accurate strikes on stationary infrastructure while reducing reliance on pre-programmed navigation systems vulnerable to jamming.
The emergence of these large FPV drones also underscores how rapidly the battlefield adapts. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to push the limits of commercially derived drone technology, experimenting with size, payload, and guidance methods to gain tactical advantage.