Not only Putin can afford it: Zelenskyy urges world to prepare for new era of terror
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Access to drones is not limited to major regimes like Russia and Iran; even terrorist groups or individual criminals can obtain them, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement during his address to the UK Parliament.
He noted that Iran and Russia have gained the ability to kill "cheaply and over long distances." Currently, a single Shahed drone costs around $50,000, while Ukraine’s partners often use missiles worth up to $4 million to destroy them.
"The Iranians knew that no air defense in the world would be enough to stop such drones, such number of drones. And we were the ones who changed that. In Ukraine, we stop one such drone with two or three interceptors that cost less than $10,000," the president highlighted.
He added that in the context of drone proliferation, the threat is not limited to state actors. Mass attacks now cost far less than billions.
"We must be ready for any kind of strike. Including from non-state actors: criminal networks, terrorist groups, even lone attackers who can gain access to such technologies… It’s no longer only a wealthy madman, like Putin, who can afford this," Zelenskyy stressed.
Technological breakthrough on the battlefield in Ukraine
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the growing capabilities of drones are increasing the reach of "kill zones" on the frontlines, making it extremely dangerous for infantry to enter.
According to him, Ukraine still leads Russia in the use of FPV drones, which causes the enemy to lose the initiative.
