Russia increasingly deploys 500 km/h jet-powered Shahed drones in nightly attacks
Explosion over Kyiv during the Russian drone interception, May 2 (Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
Russian forces are increasingly deploying jet-powered Shahed drones that exceed speeds of 400 to 500 km/h, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Colonel Yurii Ihnat stated at the United News national telethon.
"The enemy is using newer UAVs," he noted.
"Jet-powered Shaheds are being used, and they actually take part in every attack. The speeds are different there — over 400 to 500 km/h — so an appropriate weapon is needed to intercept them."
A missile or something akin to a drone-missile can intercept these faster targets, according to Ihnat.
"We have to respond to these challenges; we shouldn't be shooting down Shaheds with Patriots," he said.
Air raid alerts were declared across several Ukrainian oblasts due to the threat of drone attacks overnight on May 8, despite Russian-announced "ceasefire".
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