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Ukraine is developing several systems to counter Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones, with the Bars interceptor drones already achieving their first battlefield results, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv.
According to Zelenskyy, Bars interceptors have already recorded successful strikes against aerial targets, with their current interception rate standing at about 30%. He said the figure could improve as the system is further developed.
Zelenskyy stressed that the Bars program is not Ukraine’s only effort to develop interceptor drones. Several other projects are also moving through testing and development, and he said competition between manufacturers could help accelerate progress.
The president also highlighted the range of the new interceptors, saying their capabilities are already “almost like missiles.”
Ukraine to receive 2,000 Bars interceptors
Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Germany had agreed on a joint production program under which Ukraine would receive 2,000 Bars interceptor drones.
According to the president, Germany has already provided funding for the program, which will be produced jointly by Ukrainian and German companies.
Ukraine is also developing other systems to counter Russian aerial attacks.
Small missile program
Another project involves the development of small missiles. Zelenskyy did not disclose the name of the program or identify the manufacturers, but said the first results are expected this month.
The missiles are not yet being used on a large scale. However, Zelenskyy said successful testing could allow Ukraine to rapidly increase orders and production.
Turrets for infrastructure protection
Ukraine is also beginning to expand a turret program designed to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure from aerial attacks.
Zelenskyy said dozens of such systems are planned for deployment at various facilities.
The development of new interceptors comes as Russia continues to increase its use of faster jet-powered attack drones. Ukraine has been testing multiple interceptor models designed specifically to counter these threats.
Zelenskyy previously said Ukraine was testing five high-speed interceptor drone models, with around 400 units of one model expected to be produced by the end of October.
