Ukraine has successfully tested another interceptor designed to counter Russia’s increasingly fast jet-powered Shahed drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday (September 15). The system struck and destroyed a Shahed during the test, although further work is required before it is considered ready for operational use.
In a statement published on Facebook, Zelenskyy said Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapaty had reported the successful trial. He noted that “some aspects of controlling the interceptor still need to be refined,” adding that development would continue. The same day, in his evening address, Zelenskyy described the result as “good news” but stressed that Ukraine needs additional capabilities to address the threat.
The development comes as Russia expands its use of jet-powered drones. According to Ukrainian military data cited by Reuters, Russia launched around 2,850 such drones in August, compared with approximately 450 in June. These aircraft can reach speeds of between 240 and 500 km/h, while conventional Shaheds generally fly below 200 km/h. Their higher speed has made them more difficult for Ukraine to intercept.
Ukraine is pursuing several approaches, including high-speed interceptor drones and inexpensive guided missiles. Zelenskyy has previously said that more than 60 Ukrainian companies are working on interceptor systems, although only a limited number have demonstrated results. Yuriy Cherevashenko, a deputy commander of Ukraine’s air force, said Ukraine was testing guided missiles intended to cost less than the drones they target. F-16 fighter jets have also occasionally been used against jet-powered drones when other interception options were unavailable.
The interceptor test was reported amid continued fighting and Russian attacks. Ukrainian forces said they had launched “Vivaldi,” an offensive operation near Lyman, with commander Andriy Biletsky saying that troops had cleared Russian infiltrators from about 75 square kilometres. Meanwhile, Russian strikes killed one person in Kyiv and others in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, while attacks also affected Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.
Zelenskyy also reported Ukrainian strikes against targets in Russia, including an oil refinery in Syzran and facilities associated with drone production and deployment. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia would continue fighting even if negotiations take place.
Source: commonspace.eu with Kyiv Post (Kyiv) and The Guardian (London).
