Military analyst on Ukraine’s latest tool to counter Russian drones

After Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported that operators from the Darknode unit of the 412th NEMESIS Regiment had destroyed more than 10 Shahed drones using a new tool that costs 30 times less than the enemy's drones, NV consulted military aviation expert Mykhailo Zhyrokhov to assess what modern weapons Ukrainian forces might be using.

One major challenge for Ukraine’s defenders is intercepting Shahed drones midair, as their speed may exceed that of available interceptor drones, Zhyrokhov told NV.

Another issue is launching interceptors quickly enough once a Shahed is detected, since keeping them airborne in patrol mode is difficult due to battery limitations.

Zhyrokhov suggested that jet-powered drones, possibly of the Krylo type, could be used for interception. “It’s like an anti-aircraft guided missile, but cheaper,” he said, noting that such drones could be equipped with affordable jet engines from China.

Compared to anti-aircraft missiles, this approach would be more cost-effective, but it would require highly skilled operators due to the complexity of targeting moving drones in three-dimensional space.

While Ukraine has developed effective methods to intercept Russian reconnaissance drones such as ZALA and Orlan, Shahed drones are faster and more maneuverable, making them harder to intercept.

Shahed drones can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) and, according to some sources, accelerate to 230 km/h (143 mph).

Russia has also experimented with flight altitudes, sending drones as low as 60 meters (197 feet) or as high as 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), making them difficult to target with mobile fire groups.

To counter Shahed drones, Ukrainian forces are exploring alternative destruction methods.

Zhyrokhov noted that Russia has increasingly launched Shaheds in coordinated groups of four or five at the same altitude, which presents opportunities for interception.

He believes that Ukrainian jet interceptor drones could use warheads with remote detonation, eliminating the need for direct impact.

Zhyrokhov also suggested that the most effective way to intercept Shaheds is head-on, as this increases the chance of a successful strike. If the initial attempt fails, he said, there is a theoretical possibility of turning the interceptor around and trying to catch up, provided there is enough fuel and speed.

On March 19, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces announced that Darknode operators had destroyed more than 10 Shahed-136/131 drones using a new tool costing about $5,000— far less than the estimated $150,000 price tag of Russia’s kamikaze drones.

The department emphasized that Ukraine continues to implement innovative solutions to enhance its defense capabilities and protect civilians.