Ukraine's border guards shoot down Russian ZALA Z-20 drone at record altitude
Photo: Ukrainian State Border Guard Service serviceman (facebook.com/DPSUkraine)
Ukrainian border guards have set a new record by intercepting a Russian reconnaissance drone at an altitude of 6,858 meters, according to the Northern Border unit of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service.
According to the border guards, Russian forces deliberately launch ZALA Z-20 reconnaissance drones at high altitudes, expecting them to remain out of reach of Ukrainian forces.
However, operators from the STING unit of the 105th Border Guard Detachment successfully intercepted the target at an altitude of 6,858 meters.
According to Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, this remains the highest confirmed altitude at which an enemy drone has been intercepted by any Ukrainian unit operating in this area.
Ukraine sets new record by intercepting Russian ZALA Z-20 at 6,858 meters pic.twitter.com/XLSNJiDFbo
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 2, 2026
"While it is nice to be record holders, it is even better to see Ukrainian technology and the skill of our operators raise the bar higher every day," the statement said.
Previously, the record for intercepting a Russian drone at the highest altitude was held by members of the Lasar's Group strike drone unit of Ukraine's National Guard.
In late July, they destroyed a ZALA Z-20 reconnaissance drone at an altitude of 6,400 meters.
