Russia's new type of 3D printed missile will make jet Shaheds look like a 'small problem,' Ukraine's drone gurus warn
Ukrainian drone experts warn that Russia has begun deploying a new 3D-printed cruise missile called the Filin, which is faster and more capable than existing jet-powered Shahed drones. Analysts suggest this weapon represents a significant escalation in Russia's air attack capabilities due to its low production cost and maneuverability.
Why it matters
The introduction of mass-produced, 3D-printed cruise missiles could fundamentally alter the aerial threat landscape in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A photo of debris from the Filin cruise missile, as posted by Sternenko and Beskrestnov. Screenshot via Telegram/Serhii Sternenko Russia looks to be moving toward 3D printed cruise missiles for its next era of air attacks on Ukraine. The threat could be so major, turbojet Shaheds would seem like a small problem, one drone guru said. GUR recently posted details of the Filin, a cheap Russian missile reported to fly as fast as 500 mph. Russia's next big bet in the air war will likely move past jet-powered Shaheds to a deep arsenal of new cruise missiles, two of Ukraine's most prominent drone experts warned on Thursday. Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov and Serhii Sternenko wrote separately on their Telegram channels about the Filin, an 11-foot Russian winged cruise missile that Ukraine's military intelligence service recently unveiled.
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