Fact Check: Russia has launched 28,743 Shahed drones against Ukraine since February 2022.

Fact Check: "Russia has launched 28,743 Shahed drones against Ukraine since February 2022."

What We Know

The claim that Russia has launched 28,743 Shahed drones against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war on February 24, 2022, was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an address to the Dutch parliament. He stated, "Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has used 28,743 Shahed drones" and highlighted that in June alone, 2,736 drones were launched (source-2). The Shahed drones, specifically the Shahed 136, are Iranian-designed loitering munitions that Russia has utilized extensively in its military operations against Ukraine, particularly targeting infrastructure (source-1).

Reports from various sources confirm the high frequency and volume of drone attacks by Russia. For instance, on February 22-23, 2025, Russian forces launched 267 Shahed drones in a single night, marking a significant escalation in their aerial assault capabilities (source-4).

Analysis

The assertion made by President Zelenskyy is corroborated by multiple reports and statements from military officials. The figure of 28,743 drones aligns with ongoing assessments of Russian drone usage in the conflict, which has seen a marked increase in drone attacks as part of Russia's military strategy. The Shahed drones have been noted for their role in saturating Ukrainian air defenses and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure (source-8).

However, it is important to consider the reliability of the sources. Zelenskyy's statement is a direct quote from a high-ranking official, which typically carries significant weight. Additionally, the Ukrainian Air Force has consistently reported on the number of drones launched and intercepted, providing a basis for the claim's validity (source-4).

While there are other reports indicating that Russia has launched over 20,000 drones in 2025 alone (source-7), these figures do not contradict Zelenskyy's claim but rather emphasize the scale of the drone warfare being conducted.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Russia has launched 28,743 Shahed drones against Ukraine since February 2022 is supported by credible sources, including direct statements from Ukrainian officials and corroborating military reports. The consistency of these figures across multiple reliable sources reinforces the validity of the claim.

Fact Check: Russia has launched 28,743 Shahed drones against Ukraine since February 2022.