Zelenskyy moves to speed interceptor production against jet-powered drones

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has manufacturers capable of carrying out the task. Prototypes have already been developed, and work is underway to bring the new weapon to the required level of effectiveness.

“I am grateful to all developers and manufacturers — every company — for their work for our country and our people. It is important to complete this task within the set deadlines,” Zelenskyy said.

The Staff also discussed in detail the potential for involving businesses in the production, supply and configuration of certain types of air defense systems. Specific deadlines and tasks were set for that work as well.

Zelenskyy said the overall goal is to bring Ukraine’s defense industry and cooperation with partners to a level that can provide sufficient numbers of high-quality, high-speed interceptor drones and low-cost missiles to ensure protection as Russia increases production of its own high-speed attack systems.

He said Ukrainian intelligence has clear information about the enemy’s plans and that resources are being directed toward countering the threat.

“We will also act asymmetrically. The relevant operations have been approved,” Zelenskyy said.

Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat previously said Russia used five times as many jet-powered drones to attack Ukraine in July as it did in June. The increase was linked to a shift in Russia’s drone tactics and greater use of jet-powered UAVs, which are harder to intercept.

In July, aviation expert Valerii Romanenko told Radio NV that Ukraine’s Shahed shootdown rate had recently fallen from 90% to 76% because Russia began using jet-powered Shaheds capable of speeds of 300–450 km/h, compared with 180 km/h for conventional Shaheds.

On Aug. 21, Ukraine’s Defense Forces added the first Ukrainian jet-powered drone interceptor, Alexa Spatium, to their arsenal, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.