It has been revealed how many drones Ukrainian interceptor drones have shot down
The Defense Forces reported that a new tactic involving the use of interceptor drones allows for the destruction of up to 40% of aerial targets, and the system’s effectiveness increases under favorable weather conditions.
Yuriy Cherevashchenko, deputy commander of the Air Force’s air defense forces, told Suspilne about this.
“Last year, we had a slightly higher percentage of interceptor involvement. Now these statistics are continuing to rise again because the weather is stabilizing. We have also optimized the radar coverage, which improves the performance of the UAV interceptor crews,” he said.
So-called universal crews can operate various models and types of interceptors, while less experienced crews use the UAV model they have mastered. The infrastructure for them, says Cherevashchenko, is the same, with the exception of jet drones.
“We primarily use multirotor-type interceptor UAVs. But fixed-wing models are also gaining popularity. Depending on the circumstances, the speed of the aerial target, or the conditions of its deployment, either one type of interceptor UAV or another is used,” the military official noted.
According to him, the Russians have begun to prepare their air attacks more thoroughly. In particular, they track drone losses, intensify their attacks, and increase the number of aircraft.
“This complicates the work of crews and requires an increase in their numbers,” added Cherevashchenko.
In addition, the Russians are modifying and improving drones of the “Shahed,” “Geran,” and “Gerbera” types.
“Our crews have destroyed aircraft equipped with motion, sound, and light sensors. When a searchlight is aimed at them or they detect excessive noise, they begin to perform evasive maneuvers. Also, interceptor UAVs are engaging in aerial combat, which did not happen before. That is, countermeasures are being taken against manually controlled UAVs,” said the deputy commander.
The interceptors have been integrated into a unified air defense system under the leadership of regional commands and tactical groups. The work of the interceptor crews is coordinated with other components of the state’s air defense system: manned aviation and ground-based anti-aircraft systems.
In March 2026, the newly established Command of Unmanned Air Defense Systems was reorganized into the Command of Close Air Defense Forces.
“We concluded that we need to consolidate ‘light air defense’ assets to more effectively counter unmanned aerial vehicles under a single concept and a single plan,” Cherevashchenko noted.
Interceptors occupy an intermediate position in layered defense: drones are deployed when it is impractical or too costly to scramble aircraft, but mobile fire groups are physically unable to reach the target.
“To increase the share of UAV interceptors in the destruction of aerial targets, one approach is scaling up and improvement. This includes new types of drones, drones capable of carrying other drones that can remain airborne for extended periods, as well as the development of anti-aircraft drone systems,” he said.
According to Yuriy Cherevashchenko, the government has expanded opportunities to involve civilians in the fight against drones. This refers to so-called private air defense for businesses, the work of the DFTG, and the recruitment of young people into UAV interceptor units based on a territorial principle.
As a reminder, all-weatherdrone interceptors equipped with artificial intelligence are being developed in Ukraine.
In February, in Kyiv and its environs, over 70% of Russian “Shahed”-type strike drones were destroyed by interceptor drones.
As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine may face difficulties in obtaining missiles for air defense systems due to military operations in the Middle East.
