Ukraine has intercepted over 100 Shahed drones using interceptor UAVs
Interceptor UAVs help Ukraine shoot down over 100 incoming Shahed drones (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian soldiers are actively using interceptor drones to destroy Shahed drones. This method has been used to shoot down well over a hundred enemy kamikaze UAVs, according to Spokesperson of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Ihnat.
According to him, in the future, all branches of the Defense Forces will have units equipped to take down enemy UAVs using interceptor drones. These units may be integrated with mobile fire teams to maximize effectiveness in countering hostile drones.
In particular, such units will operate in rear-area cities where strategic facilities are located and protection of civilian infrastructure is essential.
"At first, they were primarily used against reconnaissance drones. Now, some units have already been reported to effectively engage Shaheds. A hundred of them had been shot down a few months ago. I believe the number is now significantly higher, as this capability continues to develop," Ihnat said.
He also noted that there are even drones capable of operating autonomously — without an operator — and effectively intercepting Shaheds.
The first 100 Shaheds shot down
On May 18, the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian soldiers had destroyed the first hundred Shaheds using interceptor drones.
They also pointed out that one interceptor drone costs around $5,000, while a single Shahed drone can cost up to $1 million.
