Four Ukrainian interceptors are undergoing combat testing
Ukraine is conducting combat tests of at least four jet-powered interceptors designed to counter Russian jet-powered drones.
According to military expert Serhiy Flesh, the new systems are being tested directly in combat conditions. These interceptors are expected to help more effectively counter high-speed Russian drones.
He emphasized that to counter jet-powered UAVs, Ukraine needs jet-powered interceptors with higher speeds.
“We are currently waiting for our testing to be completed so that the army can receive jet-powered interceptors that our troops can operate fully. Right now, we’re using missiles, and our fighter jets, cannons, and anti-aircraft guns are in operation. However, when it comes to altitudes of, say, 3 km and speeds of 500 km/h, mobile fire units, unfortunately, are no longer effective,” said Beskrestnov.
According to him, at least four Ukrainian jet interceptors are in the final stages of testing.
“We’re currently conducting trials under combat conditions; we’re testing them. If all goes well, we’ll very quickly scale up our experience and this solution, and our guys will be operating the interceptors,” noted the advisor to the head of state.
He explained that the need to develop new interceptors arose due to changes in the characteristics of Russian attack drones: “Our manufacturers were focused on the ‘Geran-3,’ which had a speed of about 280–300 km/h. But the Russians decided that this speed was too low and halted production.”
Currently, Russia is using the “Geran-4,” which can reach speeds ranging from 300 to 500 km/h. Therefore, effective interception requires systems capable of reaching speeds of about 600 km/h.
“This was a new challenge for our manufacturers, but I think everything will be fine, and very soon we’ll be using jet interceptors against jet-powered Shaheds,” “Flash” emphasized.
At the same time, the presidential adviser did not specify the timeframe needed to scale up production of the jet interceptors, given the sensitivity of the information, which could be exploited by the enemy.
Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov, a special advisor to the President of Ukraine on the development of defense technology, made this statement on television.
Flash described a new pattern in the flight paths of the Shahed drones during attacks on Kyiv.
As a reminder, on August 30, during another air raid alert in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi district, drone debris fell onto the grounds of a residential complex.
On the afternoon of August 30, Russian forces attacked Kyiv with strike drones. Explosions were heard in the capital, and air defense forces engaged enemy targets.
In Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, a fire broke out in a non-residential building as a result of a Russian drone attack. Emergency services are on the scene, dealing with the aftermath of the strike.
