Tensions in the Middle East: what are these drones used by Iran against Israel, also present in the war in Ukraine ?

This Saturday, April 13, 2024, Iran launched an attack against Israel, with more than 300 drones and missiles launched in the night, weapons similar to those used in Ukraine by Russia.

During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the conflict in the Middle East took another turn after the "vast" attack of Iran against the Hebrew State. Tehran assures this operation is a response to the deadly strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus earlier this month. In total, nearly 300 drones and missiles were launched, reports TF1 Info.

Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones

Tehran mainly targeted "the intelligence center that provided the Zionists with the necessary information"& nbsp;for the April 1 attack in Damascus. If the offensive launched last night only increased tensions between the countries of the Middle East, Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, announced that’ "99 % of shots" aimed at Israel were intercepted.

In detail, at least 170 drones, 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles were fired, assures the IDF. "Of the 30 cruise missiles, none entered Israeli airspace. 25 of them were brought down by Israeli actions, outside airspace", said Daniel Hagari.

According to images relayed on social networks, the drones are Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, the same ones that Russia uses to attack Ukraine. Since the start of the conflict between kyiv and Moscow, many countries such as the United States had warned of the numerous weapons, notably Shahed-136 drones, from Iran for Vladimir's army Putin.

Shahed-136 vs Shahed-238

An evolution of this model was noticed at the start of 2024, reports the magazine Géo.

The Shahed-238 has a jet engine and not a pusher propeller, as indicated Forbes. This new technology developed by the Iranians since last September would make these drones much faster than before.

/1. Wreckage of the Shahed shot down in Ukraine with a jet engine installed. This is the first known case of their use.https://t.co/lY3Js7yPH4 pic.twitter.com/AwlvBrDAmz

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) January 8, 2024

Russian Major General Vladimir Popov explained to Sputnik TV that these jet engines can push the devices up to 800 km/h, while the Shahed-136 barely reached 180.

Dozens of kilos of explosives

Retired General Amos Yadlin, former head of military intelligence, said the drones were equipped with 20 kilograms of explosives each and that the drones' air defenses were equipped with 20 kilograms of explosives each. rsquo;Israel were ready to slaughter them.

In addition, Lebanese Hezbollah announces having launched rockets on the Golan occupied by Israel. And pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen would also launch drones towards Israel overnight from Saturday to Sunday.

Just before, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Saturday evening that Israel has prepared for "the eventuality of a direct attack by Iran" and is "ready to face n& ;rsquo;any scenario, both in terms of defense and attack.

In the wake of the attack, the Israeli army said it was working with the United States to "intercept"< /em> drones as White House reaffirms support for country under attack: "The United States will stand with the people of Israel& quot;.