Ukrainian troops identify Shahed and fake drones by sound — Air Force spokesman Ihnat

“Decoy drones are designed to make us think it is a Shahed. But people on the ground have eventually learned to distinguish them by sound. Both visually and even by flight parameters, it’s clear that this is not a Shahed, but a drone simulator. This takes time — you need appropriate experience.”

According to Yurii Ihnat, the invaders have increased not only the number of drones but also their flight altitude, making it difficult for air defense forces to intercept UAVs at greater distances. However, he said using anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down every Shahed is inefficient, and Ukrainian forces are now actively seeking cheaper, more rational methods.

“We need rational methods of shooting down drones — cheaper methods,” Ihnat said.

“Everyone is working on this now — from the military to the military-political leadership — to provide Ukraine with such means. And, of course, everyone is turning to our partners so that we have enough of these systems to repel such massive strikes.”

An air raid alert was declared across all oblasts of Ukraine on the night of May 26 due to the threat of UAVs and missiles.

As a result of the third consecutive combined strike on Odesa Oblast, private homes were damaged. In Khmelnytskyi Oblast, private properties and enterprises were hit.

In Kyiv, debris was reported in the Dniprovsyi district. Damage from Russian shelling was also recorded in Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv, and other areas.

According to the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on the night of May 26, Russian forces launched nine Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers and a record 355 drones across Ukraine.

Air defense forces shot down all nine Kh-101 missiles and intercepted 288 Shahed and other types of UAVs across the east, north, south, west, and center of the country.

Following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed an increase in the production of interceptor drones in response to the regular mass attacks by Russia.