Ukraine Creates Drone Interceptor for Jet-Powered Shaheds, Zelensky Shows Results

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) military counterintelligence has successfully created and combat-tested a new interceptor drone designed to neutralize jet-powered Shahed attack drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the development on Saturday after receiving a briefing from acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad.

What Is Known About the Interceptor

Zelensky published video footage showing the new interceptor drone operating against jet-powered Shaheds, the faster and harder-to-intercept variant of Iran's Shahed family used by Russia. The interceptor has already been deployed in real combat conditions and achieved results, according to the president. Russia has increasingly turned to jet-propelled Shaheds as a means to overcome Ukraine's air defenses, since their higher speed makes them more difficult to destroy with conventional anti-aircraft systems.

Long-Range Expansion

Beyond the interceptor reveal, Zelensky also noted that new long-range strike operations have been approved in response to recent Russian attacks, and that work is underway to expand Ukraine's overall long-range strike capabilities. He also outlined forthcoming changes to the command and management structure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Medical Corps.