Russia Now Launches Shahed Drones From Western Crimea, Slashing Strike Time on Southern Ukraine

For the first time, Russian forces have launched Shahed-type attack drones from the western coast of occupied Crimea, according to the monitoring channel eRadar on September 28.

eRadar reported that the drones were launched from Kacha airfield near Sevastopol. This location, which borders the Black Sea, enables shorter flight times toward southern Ukraine, particularly Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.

According to eRadar, drones launched from Kacha targeted a wine factory in Odesa region, reaching the site within just 40 minutes. Given the nearly 300-kilometer distance, the channel suggested that rocket-assisted variants of the Shahed may have been used.

Russian forces employ several types of Shahed launch systems. According to open-source monitoring, these include large stationary catapults at “droneports,” smaller mobile catapults requiring solid-fuel boosters, and vehicle-mounted systems.

Satellite imagery of Kacha does not show fixed catapults, and the airfield has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian strikes. eRadar assessed that launches from this site were likely conducted using mobile or vehicle-based systems.

One of the largest known Shahed support and launch hubs is located in Russia’s Oryol region. According to monitoring groups, this “droneport” has been struck multiple times by British-French made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but remains operational.

Kacha airfield itself has been a frequent target of Ukrainian operations. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported that during the last week of September, special unit “Prymary” struck the site, destroying two Russian aircraft — an An-26 and a Be-12 — as well as a Mi-8 helicopter.

According to eRadar, Kacha is the twelfth confirmed launch site for Russian-Iranian Shahed drones, highlighting the ongoing expansion of Russia’s drone infrastructure along occupied territories.

Earlier, Russia had built a new Shahed drone base in Bryansk region, just 35 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, citing satellite imagery analyzed by Brady Africk. The site includes storage areas, catapult launch pads, and resembles other complexes identified in Oryol and Bryansk regions that serve as hubs for long-range drone attacks.

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