Russia upgrades Shahed drones for new attacks
Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Russian army is already integrating various technologies that allow Shahed drones to bypass Ukrainian interceptor drones. In response, Ukraine is implementing alternative solutions, stated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
He noted that the Russian army will soon begin switching to jet-powered drones. That’s why Ukraine must already be working on countermeasures.
"The development of technology is like blitz chess — everything changes very quickly, and new decisions must constantly be made... Russia will definitely move to jet-powered drones, and we need to start addressing this now," Fedorov said.
He explained that while today Ukraine may have a certain interception rate of Shahed drones using interceptors, that number could change tomorrow as Russia rapidly advances its capabilities.
"They are already integrating solutions that help Shaheds evade interceptors, and we’re implementing other solutions in response. That’s why the tactics change every day," the minister added.
Shahed interceptors
According to Fedorov, Ukraine has already signed contracts with at least four companies developing the largest-scale solutions for drone interceptors.
"There are some promising technological solutions involving advanced technologies - solutions that usually take years to develop have already been found and are now being used. That’s why the speed at which we scale up production will determine how soon we’ll have a sufficient number of interceptors," Fedorov explained.
The minister pointed out that Russia continues to target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and production facilities.
"Alongside scaling and finding people for scaling up, purchasing components, businesses are constantly forced to change locations and work on the security of their production. The government is also doing its best to help," Fedorov added.
Production of interceptor drones in Ukraine
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine plans to produce hundreds of thousands of interceptor drones this year, as the number of downed Russian Shahed drones is expected to keep growing.
According to him, production has already begun. The drones vary in cost and capabilities. Overall, the production effort is estimated at $6 billion.
Previously, amid massive attacks, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered improvements to air defense systems, including the deployment of interceptor drones.
On July 10, the President also warned that the enemy is planning to launch up to 1,000 kamikaze drones per day.
