Russia launches more than 2,800 jet-powered drones at Ukraine in August - Air Force
Photo: Shahed drone with a jet engine (Iranian media)
In just the past four days, Russia has used 1,500 UAVs against Ukraine, 800 of them equipped with jet engines, Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said during a national telethon live broadcast.
Russia scales up the use of jet-powered Shahed drones
According to Ihnat, Russia is using jet-powered drones both during the day and at night.
"But in fact, from the 27th through the end of the month, the intensity of the attacks, particularly toward Kyiv, was quite high," he said.
The drones are coming from the north, closer to the Belarusian border, and then approaching the capital via the Kyiv Reservoir. However, this is not the only route they use.
"Air defense command sets up defensive lines along these routes, and many drones are destroyed there, but unfortunately, some still reach the capital. Just today, a drone even hit a residential building," Ihnat said.
The Air Force spokesperson noted that there had not been such a large number of jet-powered Shaheds in June.
"Russia increased its use fivefold in July compared with previous months. The same trend continued in August. In August, Russia used more than 2,800 jet-powered UAVs," the spokesperson said.
How the drones are being shot down
Ihnat noted that the interception rate for jet-powered drones is lower than for conventional ones, at around 60%.
"But the interception rate for drones powered by internal combustion engines, meaning conventional Shaheds as well as Gerbera and Parodya drones, remains consistently high," Ihnat said.
According to him, air defense is deployed to intercept as many of these UAVs as possible, with the rate reaching 90-95%. This means the overall interception rate remains high.
"Nevertheless, we are still seeing drone strikes and missile impacts today," he added.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Russian forces often launch attack drones, including jet-powered Shaheds, while staying close to the border with Belarus. The drones enter through the Kyiv Reservoir and maneuver at different altitudes.
It was also reported that Russia has been launching waves of jet-powered drones for several days in a row, with a significant share of the attacks focused on the capital.
Ihnat also said that during some attacks, Russia's jet-powered UAVs account for up to two-thirds of all drones used.
