Video: Ukraine Tests Jet-Powered Interceptor Drones — Fedorov
As of August 14, Ukrainian manufacturers have begun combat testing of jet-powered interceptor drones designed to counter the new “Shahed” drones. Several companies have already developed their own solutions, and one of the developers is expected to report the first confirmed downings of enemy drones.
This was reported by former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The development of new interceptors was a response to changes in Russian air attack tactics. Russian forces have gradually begun replacing conventional “Shaheds” with jet-powered ones, requiring Ukraine to accelerate the development of means to destroy them.
The systematic development of Ukrainian interceptor drones began last year. The work involved opening up the relevant market, conducting combat tests of new designs, and increasing procurement volumes.
As a result, Ukraine acquired a so-called “light” air defense system, built, in particular, around the use of interceptor drones.
The emergence of jet-powered “Shaheds” presented a new challenge. Due to the higher speed of these targets, there was a need to develop appropriate interception capabilities.
Throughout the year, Ukrainian manufacturers received grants through Brave1. Their designs were analyzed and tested, and now several companies already have their own solutions to combat this new threat.
One Ukrainian team has created a jet-powered interceptor drone that, thanks to its jet engine, can reach speeds of over 600 km/h. The name of the manufacturer has not been disclosed.
“I recently visited one of the production facilities. The team was among the first in Ukraine to create a jet-powered interceptor drone that, thanks to its jet engine, can reach speeds of over 600 km/h. The design is currently undergoing combat testing. We are awaiting the results and the first confirmed shoot-downs,” Fedorov said.
Thus, the project has already moved from the design and preliminary testing phases to combat testing. The next indicator of its effectiveness will be confirmed interceptions of Russian jet drones.
At the same time, work on this project continues. Key tasks include further research and development, testing new prototypes, and scaling up production of the interceptor drones.
“It’s important not to stop. We need to invest in R&D, testing, and scaling up production. Our team continues to work on this systematically. Protecting Ukraine’s airspace remains one of the key pillars of our strategy in the war,” Fedorov emphasized.
As a reminder, drones once again attacked the port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region.
Earlier, the Russians used a Shahed drone to strike a passenger train in the Odesa region with precision; there were fatalities.
The State Emergency Service and the Odesa Regional Military Administration released photographs of the locomotive damaged as a result of the Russian attack. The images show the condition of the train following the strike.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces struck a passenger train in the Odesa region. According to him, there were 340 passengers on board at the time of the attack, and the train engineer and his assistant were killed.
