“Alpha” sets record for shooting down enemy drones in 2025
In 2025, the SBU’s Special Operations Centre “Alpha” set a record among all Ukrainian Armed Forces units for the number of enemy drones destroyed, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported.
Over the year, “Alpha” interceptor crews neutralised 2,220 enemy UAVs, including both strike and reconnaissance drones. These included Shaheds, Gerani, Molniya, Lancets, Zala, Orlans, Merlins, Italmassi, Skaty, and other types that Russia actively uses to terrorise Ukrainian cities and conduct intelligence operations.
“Alpha” operators also destroyed Russian medium-altitude, long-endurance strike-reconnaissance drones such as the Orion, which cost over $5 million each.
The SBU emphasised that the unit’s systematic drone interception work significantly limits the enemy’s reconnaissance and strike capabilities, increasing the safety of Ukrainian cities, military positions, and critical infrastructure.
Last year, the SBU’s Special Operations Centre “Alpha” also carried out attacks on five Russian military airfields using long-range drones. Ukraine is increasingly successful in airstrikes on targets inside Russia, and as Russian air defences gradually degrade, the scale of inflicted damage is expected to grow.
On New Year’s Eve, Russian drones struck an oil depot and refinery, causing fires. On the morning of 31 December, drones hit the FDPU “Temp” plant of the Russian Reserve in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region, Russia.
