Ukraine Deploys Indigenous ‘Seth’ Kamikaze Drone to Counter Russian Attacks

Ukraine has introduced a domestically developed loitering munition, the Seth drone, which closely resembles the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones extensively used by Russia. This new addition to Ukraine’s arsenal marks a significant step toward reducing reliance on foreign military aid and bolstering its offensive capabilities against Russian forces.

The Seth drone, designed with a tailless delta-wing structure, mirrors the aerodynamic features of the Shahed-136 and its Russian variant, the Geran-2. However, this homegrown solution allows Ukraine to better adapt to the challenges of drone warfare by incorporating localized improvements suited for the battlefield.

The first batch of Seth drones, funded and supplied by Ukraine’s Come Back Alive Foundation, has been delivered to the 12th Special Operations Brigade "Azov" under the Ukrainian National Guard. These drones have already been deployed on the Toretsk front, an area witnessing intense clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

As Ukraine continues to refine its drone technology, the deployment of Seth could help offset the persistent Russian aerial assaults and strengthen Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare tactics. The introduction of indigenous kamikaze drones also underscores Ukraine’s growing defense innovation, ensuring a sustainable and independent military production pipeline in the face of an extended conflict.