Zelenskyy names the main problem of intercepting Russian Shahed drones
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
The cheapest way to destroy Russian Shahed drones is with interceptor drones, but funding their production remains a challenge, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Fox News.
He emphasized that both Europe and the US recognize the effectiveness of this method against Russian kamikaze drones. He added that the current success rate is 68% and is expected to rise.
Zelenskyy noted that several companies in Ukraine have already begun mass production of interceptor drones. However, he stressed that funding is the main issue.
"The question now is money, and this is a real problem because you have to finance," the President said.
He explained that one interceptor drone costs roughly $3,000 to $5,000, and two to three are required to take down a single Shahed drone. By comparison, a Russian drone costs $120,000 to $150,000.
"But the problem is that you need thousands of them (drone interceptors -ed.). Today, we don't have enough money to put into private companies to increase their production," Zelenskyy added.
In September, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said the country urgently needs 10 additional Patriot systems to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.
Later, Zelenskyy said he expects the US to make a decision on supplying these air defense systems.
Ukraine's need for such systems has grown amid intensified attacks by Russian forces, which have increasingly targeted the country’s energy infrastructure.
