Ukraine is developing jet interceptors to counter Russia's new weapons
Russia is increasingly using high-speed “Banderole” and “Gerani-5” jet aircraft against Ukraine. In response, Ukraine is developing its own jet interceptors designed to destroy such targets, said presidential adviser Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov.
Russia is gradually increasing its use of new high-speed weapons. These include the “Banderol” and “Geran-5” missiles, as well as other systems that are more difficult to intercept with conventional air defense systems. According to him, Russia plans to continue producing such systems not only now but also throughout the coming year.
What Is the “Banderol”?
Beskrestnov drew attention to the Russian “Banderol”—a new type of high-speed weapon already being used in attacks on Ukraine. He described the “Banderol” as a low-cost Russian rocket. “Many people have heard the name ‘Banderole’—it’s a low-cost Russian rocket. We are documenting how Russia is attacking Kyiv,” said Beskrestnov.
According to him, Russia is using this type of weapon during strikes on Ukrainian cities. A distinctive feature of these devices is their high speed. Because of this, there is less time to detect and destroy them than in the case of slower attack drones.
The “Geran-5” also has a jet engine
Separately, Beskrestnov spoke about the “Geran-5.” Russian troops are already using these drones in attacks on Ukraine. According to the presidential adviser, the “Geran-5” is also a jet-powered drone, though he does not refer to it simply as a jet-powered UAV. “I showed the ‘Geran-5’ on my channel—it’s also a jet-powered missile. It’s not even a jet-powered UAV,” Beskrestnov noted.
He also classified the jet-powered “Dan-M” and “Dan-T” as belonging to this same class of high-speed Russian weapons. Thus, Russia is gradually expanding its arsenal of high-speed weapons that it can use during massive attacks.
Why High-Speed Targets Pose a Challenge for Air Defense
For Ukraine’s air defense, jet-powered targets pose a distinct challenge. A conventional strike drone moves relatively slowly. Therefore, once detected, air defense systems may have more time to determine its trajectory and deploy the appropriate interceptor.
A jet-powered aircraft travels at a significantly higher speed. It covers the distance to the target faster, thereby reducing the reaction time. This is particularly important during massive attacks, when dozens or hundreds of different targets may be in the air simultaneously. In such a situation, Ukraine needs systems capable of quickly catching up to and destroying precisely these types of aircraft.
Ukraine Wants to Develop Its Own Interceptors
In response to the emergence of new Russian weapons, Ukraine is already working on a countermeasure. Beskrestnov confirmed that Ukraine plans to develop jet-powered interceptors. Their mission is to destroy high-speed Russian missiles and other targets that are difficult to intercept with traditional, less expensive systems. “We will try to develop jet-powered interceptor missiles to counter such missiles,” he said.
According to the presidential adviser, Russia is already aware of these Ukrainian plans. At the same time, Beskrestnov did not disclose the technical specifications of the future interceptors. There is also no information yet on their exact speed, range, guidance system, or the timeline for the start of mass production. Therefore, the current focus is specifically on the development and preparation of the future system, rather than on weapons that are already ready and being delivered in large quantities to the Ukrainian military.
Russia is preparing to use new weapons in the future
According to Beskrestnov, the problem will not be limited to isolated attacks. Russia plans to continue producing guided munitions next year as well. This means their use in airstrikes may increase. For Ukraine, this puts additional pressure on its air defense system.
If the number of fast-moving targets increases, it will be necessary to have sufficient capabilities to intercept them. It is difficult to consistently use expensive air defense missiles or fighter jets against each such drone. That is why Ukraine is interested in developing specialized interceptors that can be produced in large quantities.
The Race Between Attack Drones and Interceptors
The emergence of the jet-powered “Banderole” and “Geran-5” drones is effectively changing the nature of air attacks. Previously, the main threat came from large waves of relatively slow attack drones. Now, Russia is adding faster drones and missiles to its arsenal. In response, Ukraine is attempting to develop a separate class of weapons—high-speed interceptors.
In other words, a new technological race is effectively beginning. Russia is looking for ways to make its strike systems faster and more difficult for air defense to counter, while Ukraine is seeking ways to detect and destroy them more quickly. For now, Ukrainian jet-powered interceptors are still in the development phase. But the very need to create them has already become a response to the new tactics of Russian attacks. Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov, an advisor to the President of Ukraine on the development of defense technologies, spoke about this during the “Yedyni Novyny” telethon.
Russia is ramping up production of high-speed jet drones capable of speeds exceeding 320 km/h. According to Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov, the President’s Advisor on Defense Technology Development, in August, Russia launched approximately 2,500 such “Shaheds” at Ukraine, and Moscow plans to produce tens of thousands of new drones by 2027.
