Russian Military Deploys AI-Enabled Shahed Drones for Autonomous Attacks in Ukraine
Russian military forces reportedly deployed Shahed attack drones equipped with autonomous target recognition systems that can continue engaging targets without operator control. According to Ukrainian defence officials, the Geran-Siker variant uses machine vision algorithms to identify and strike important military targets even when communications are disrupted.
What happened
Russian military forces deployed a new variant of Shahed attack drones called Geran-Siker equipped with autonomous target recognition and engagement capabilities. According to Sergiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's Defence Minister, the Geran-Siker system can automatically identify, acquire and strike targets after initial operator direction, using machine vision algorithms based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer.
The system operates with multiple cameras working in different modes and a radio mesh modem. Once the drone operator captures a target—such as a locomotive from a distance of one kilometre—the autonomous machine vision algorithms can guide the drone to the target without further operator intervention.
Reported impact
Low-power radio-electronic countermeasures on locomotive targets reportedly cannot protect them from strikes by the Geran-Siker. The autonomous engagement capability allows attacks to continue even if communications between the drone and operator are disrupted.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.