Zelenskyy shows first footage of new interceptor drones destroying jet-powered Shaheds
Zelenskyy said 67 companies are working on interceptor drones as Ukraine moves to scale up cheaper defenses against faster Russian attack drones.
- On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Ukrainian air defense operators reported that new jet-powered Russian drones are evading interception due to high speeds and altitudes, disrupting daily life across Ukraine in recent weeks.
- Moscow has systematically deployed jet-powered Geran drones as battlefield advances have stalled, utilizing round-the-clock launches instead of largely nighttime operations to wear down Ukrainian defenses.
- Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi reported Russia launched 2,100 jet-powered drones in the first three weeks of September, while air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat noted Ukraine intercepts only about 60% compared to more than 90% of earlier models.
- These attacks have killed 288 people, including four children, according to Prime Minister Koretskyi; lawmaker Fedir Venislavskyi stated Ukraine can resolve the threat short-term but success depends on securing necessary financial resources.
- Ukrainian forces have successfully deployed new interceptor drones, though scaling production remains critical; Russia plans to expand manufacturing in Alabuga, potentially producing 28,000 new drones next year to sustain operations.
67 Articles
67 Articles
Ukraine shows how it shoots down jet-powered Russian drones, as Moscow seeks to expand production (Ukraine Battlefield update, day 1,671)
Ukraine has finally found ways to hunt Russia’s fastest drones in mid-air, as new satellite images and documents suggest the Kremlin is preparing to flood the battlefield with tens of thousands more.
Vasyl, the portable missile operator of one of Ukraine's many mobile air defence groups, was discouraged by the look on his screen. The Russian Shahed jet that was approaching his position was flying too high for him to be able to shoot him down. Before, the Shaheds used to fly lower — at one or 1.5 kilometres [on the ground] — and we managed to attack them, said Vasyl, who uses the Racoon code name, during a mission to protect the capital, Kiev…
Helena Independent Record
Ukraine races to counter fast Russian jet drones
KYIV — In early July, Ukraine's military invited a large group of producers to test a new generation of interceptors developed to counter the jet-powered attack drones Russia used to devastating effect in recent months.
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