Photo: Russian media
Ukraine is using electronic warfare, combat aviation and newly developed interceptor drones to counter Russia's jet-powered Shahed attack drones. However, each method has limitations, and successful interceptions by the newest Ukrainian interceptors remain relatively rare, according to sources cited by RBC-Ukraine.
How Ukraine is countering jet-powered drones
The growing use of jet-powered drones by Russia has forced Ukraine to develop additional methods of defense. Ukrainian sources cited by RBC-Ukraine said electronic warfare can be effective in some cases, while combat aviation is also being used against the faster targets.
The effectiveness of fighter aircraft is constrained by the availability of air-to-air missiles and cannon ammunition. This is particularly important for F-16 and Mirage aircraft, which rely on imported ammunition that is not always available in sufficient quantities.
Using aircraft over Kyiv also creates additional risks for civilians and pilots. This makes it important to intercept the drones before they reach densely populated areas.
Progress with interceptor drones
Another developing area is Ukraine's use of high-speed interceptor drones. Ukrainian authorities have already reported several successful interceptions of jet-powered Shaheds. On September 26, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had several effective interceptor prototypes capable of engaging the Russian drones.
The first successful Ukrainian interceptor engagements were reported earlier in September. On September 15, Zelenskyy said another Ukrainian interceptor had successfully hit a jet-powered Shahed during testing.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, however, successful interceptions specifically by the newest interceptor models remain isolated cases. Several developments have already demonstrated positive results, including possible adaptations of Ukrainian jet-powered drone platforms originally designed for long-range strikes.
The key challenge is now to reduce the cost of the interceptors, establish mass production and procure them in sufficient numbers. Financing remains one of the main constraints, with Ukraine negotiating with international partners over support for expanding production.
Strikes on drone launch sites and communications
Ukraine is also attempting to reduce Russia's ability to launch the drones rather than relying solely on interception. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, Ukrainian forces have been targeting Russian launch sites used for jet-powered drones, although these strikes have so far not stopped the attacks.
The sources identified several Russian facilities as active launch locations for the Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones.
Another area of activity involves communications systems used to control the drones. Ukrainian forces have targeted repeaters and mobile communications towers in Belarus that Russia reportedly uses as part of a mesh network for drone control.
Russia's increased use of jet-powered Shaheds has become a growing concern for Ukrainian air defenses. Zelenskyy said on September 28 that more than 120 Shaheds had been used against Ukraine that day, with nearly 90 being jet-powered.
Ukraine has also demonstrated that several different systems can engage these faster targets. Ukrainian military sources have reported successful interceptions by interceptor drones as well as by fighter aircraft and other air-defense assets.
The Ukrainian government is seeking to accelerate production of high-speed interceptors as Russia expands production of its own jet-powered attack drones. Zelenskyy said in early September that prototypes had already been developed and that work was underway to bring them to the required level of effectiveness.
