For the first time, a Russian Shahed‑type attack drone has been spotted carrying an R‑60 air‑to‑air missile. The discovery was reported by Ukrainian electronic warfare and communications expert Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov on his Telegram channel.
According to him, Russia is attempting to use this improvised combination to shoot down Ukrainian helicopters and tactical aircraft that hunt Shaheds during interception missions.
Ukraine hunts Shaheds. Russia arms Shaheds to hunt Ukraine.
Defense Express analysts, commenting on the find, noted that the R‑60 missile has a maximum engagement range of 7 km for the basic version and 8 km for the modernized 1970s-era R‑60M.
However, at low altitude — where Shaheds and aircraft tasked with intercepting them typically operate — the real range drops dramatically to about 1.5 km.
The missile itself weighs up to 44 kg, including a 3 kg warhead in the R‑60 and 3.5 kg in the improved R‑60M variant.
Geran‑3 becomes an FPV‑style hunter with tracking capability
Experts say these modified “Geran‑3” drones have been equipped with mesh-network modems, effectively transforming them into large FPV drones capable of receiving mid‑flight target updates.
This configuration poses a significant threat primarily to helicopters and light aircraft — the platforms most commonly used by Ukraine to intercept Shaheds.
According to analysts, Russia is effectively creating “escort fighters” for its long‑range attack drones — loitering platforms armed with short‑range missiles to defend other drones from Ukrainian aviation.
This new tactic, they warn, will require adjustments to countermeasures and changes in how Ukraine’s air‑defense aviation operates.
