Zelenskyy outlines formula to counter Shahed drones if Russia launches 1,000 daily
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is forced to prepare for the worst-case scenario of massive Russian drone attacks and scale up interceptor production multiple times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to journalists' questions.
Russia aims to launch up to 1,000 drones per day
According to Zelenskyy, Russia has planned since last year to reach the level of 1,000 attack drones per day, but has not yet achieved this goal.
"Their average number was about 250 per day. Now I see around 350 — these are their real capabilities. But we must prepare for the worst-case scenario," the president stressed.
Two interceptors per one Shahed
Zelenskyy emphasized that if the number of attacks increases, Ukraine must act proactively.
"If Russians can use, for example, 1,000 drones, then we must have at least two interceptors for one Shahed," he said.
Ukraine already produces 1,000 interceptors per day
The president said Ukrainian interceptor production has already reached about 1,000 units per day, but this is still not enough to fully cover threats.
At the same time, there are already more interceptors than trained operators.
Shortage of mobile units, not equipment
According to Zelenskyy, the key challenge at present is not production, but scaling up human resources.
"Interceptors have already surpassed the number of our operators. Now we need to catch up in terms of the number of groups, interceptors, and relevant mobile units," the president explained.
He added that this task is well known to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and has been assigned to the new head of the Ministry of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov.
Focus on partnerships and domestic production
Zelenskyy clarified that the build-up of capabilities is taking place, in particular, through bilateral partnership agreements that provide financing for Ukrainian defense production.
Production of interceptor drones in Ukraine
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that by the end of November last year, Ukraine planned to reach production levels of 600–800 interceptor drones per day, although implementation of these plans could be complicated by Russian strikes.
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal also emphasized that, in the near future, the country must reach a daily production rate of 1,000 interceptor drones, calling this a response to Russia's overnight attacks.
Currently, Ukraine already has interceptor drones capable of effectively countering Russian Shahed drones, including versions with jet engines.
In addition, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported the formation in Ukraine of a layered system for intercepting Shahed drones using drones.
