Russia is building jet drones that fly 800 kilometers per hour, and Ukraine says it is already working on how to stop next generation

Live updates

1. 49m ago

   Ukraine Races to Stop Rapid Russian Jet Drones

   Ukraine faces an intensifying air defense challenge as Russia deploys jet-powered drones capable of reaching speeds between 600 and 800 kilometers per hour. These next-generation kamikaze drones, including Geran-4 and Geran-5 variants, easily outrun traditional slow-moving air defense teams that previously relied on older technologies to protect civilian skies and energy infrastructure. In response, Ukrainian defense manufacturers and volunteer groups are desperately racing to field faster interceptors, deploying fighter jets, artificial intelligence-aimed gun turrets, and new Bars interceptor drones to counter the high-speed threat.

   Why it matters

   The transition to jet-powered unmanned systems marks a major evolution in Russian military tactics, putting immense pressure on Ukrainian civilian air defense networks as winter approaches. Ukraine's defense minister confirmed the active development of 800 km/h kamikaze drones by Moscow, drawing historical precedent from 1990s projects like the Tu-300 Korshun. Meanwhile, aerial activity continues to disrupt regional logistics, evidenced by recent drone sightings and airport closures around Moscow.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia is developing and deploying jet-powered kamikaze drones that reach speeds between 600 and 800 kilometers per hour.
   • Ukraine is working on countermeasures and testing new interceptor drones, such as Bars, to stop the high-speed threats.
   • Air defense forces recently neutralized 88 Russian drones used in overnight attacks against Ukraine.
   • Russian drone activity recently forced the shutdown of all four Moscow airports.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The latest Russian jet drones specifically include variants designated as Geran-4 and Geran-5.

   What to watch next

   • Deployment and scaling results of Ukraine's new Bars interceptor drones against high-speed targets.
   • Further integration of AI-aimed gun turrets and fighter jets into Ukraine's air defense grid.
   • Additional Russian attacks utilizing jet-powered unmanned systems ahead of winter.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. The New York Times — Ukrainian Drones Close Moscow Airports as Putin Flies Back to Russia
   2. UNITED24 Media — Mysterious Balloons and Drones Trigger Shutdown of All Four Moscow Airports
   3. The Guardian — ‘It’s a constant race’: the volunteers protecting Kyiv’s skies from new jet-powered drones
   4. www.theguardian.com — ‘A life-or-death race’: the volunteers protecting Kyiv’s ...
   5. Euromaidan Press — Russia is building jet drones that fly 800 kilometers per hour, and Ukraine says it is already working on how to stop next generation
   6. The Globe and Mail — Russia’s switch to jet-powered drones has given it another advantage in Ukraine
   7. www.theglobeandmail.com — Russia’s switch to jet-powered drones has given it another advantage in Ukraine
   8. Ukrinform — ADF neutralizes 88 Russian drones used to attack Ukraine overnight
   9. UNITED24 Media — Russia’s Jet-Powered Shahed Drones Can Hit 600 KM/H. Ukraine Is Scaling Up Ways to Take Them Down
   10. Цензор.НЕТ — Consequences of "shahed" attack on Lviv region: fires broke out. VIDEO&PHOTOS
   11. Ukrainian news — Yevhen Svyrydov: jet-powered Shaheds against Ukrainian air defense: how to adapt to enemy's new speed
   12. Defense Express — Ukraine’s Defense Minister Confirms russia Developing 800km/h Jet Kamikaze Drones, 1990s Tu-300 Korshun Shows the Precedent
   confidence 90%