Ukraine races to counter Russia's jet-powered drone attacks
Ukraine is racing to deploy new interceptors after Russia introduced mass-produced jet-powered drones that bypass existing air defenses. These drones reach speeds of 370 miles per hour and carry 90-kilogram payloads, causing significant damage in cities like Kyiv. President Zelensky has received briefings on new counter-measures as the government seeks a solution before winter. While Ukraine struggles with these high-speed threats, a new anti-drone weapon has reportedly scored a hit during the ongoing conflict. Poland recently scrambled fighter jets in response to these attacks on the Ukrainian capital.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Russia is using mass-produced jet-powered drones to attack cities including Kyiv.
- ✓ These attack drones can reach speeds of 370 miles per hour.
- ✓ The jet-powered drones carry a 90-kilogram payload.
- ✓ Poland scrambled jets during a Russian jet-powered drone attack on Kyiv.
What changed
President Zelensky was briefed on new interceptors specifically designed to target Russian jet-powered drones.
Live updates
-
Ukraine develops interceptors to counter Russian jet-powered drones
Ukraine is racing to deploy new interceptors after Russia introduced mass-produced jet-powered drones that bypass existing air defenses. These drones reach speeds of 370 miles per hour and carry 90-kilogram payloads, causing significant damage in cities like Kyiv. President Zelensky has received briefings on new counter-measures as the government seeks a solution before winter. While Ukraine struggles with these high-speed threats, a new anti-drone weapon has reportedly scored a hit during the ongoing conflict. Poland recently scrambled fighter jets in response to these attacks on the Ukrainian capital.
Why it matters
Traditional air defense systems struggle to track and neutralize drones moving at jet speeds. The deployment of these weapons represents a shift in Russian aerial tactics toward faster, more powerful attack vehicles. Ukraine must close this capability gap to protect urban infrastructure from devastating strikes.
What is confirmed
- Russia is using mass-produced jet-powered drones to attack cities including Kyiv.
- These attack drones can reach speeds of 370 miles per hour.
- The jet-powered drones carry a 90-kilogram payload.
- Poland scrambled jets during a Russian jet-powered drone attack on Kyiv.
Still unconfirmed
- Moscow's high-speed drones are forcing Kyiv to develop countermeasures before winter.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the first successful shoot-down of a jet-powered drone by the new anti-drone weapon.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (9)
- The Independent — Ukraine war live: Poland scrambles jets as Putin attacks Kyiv with jet-powered drones
- Reuters — Ukraine races to counter Russia's jet-powered drone attacks
- Ukrinform — Zelensky briefed on new interceptors for jet-powered drones
- politico.eu — ‘Horror in the sky’: Ukraine races for a solution to Russian jet-powered drones
- New Scientist — Jet-powered drones pose a new threat to Ukraine – can they be stopped?
- english.elpais.com — Superfast jet-powered drones, the Russian weapon Ukraine is not ready for
- www.japantimes.co.jp — Ukraine races to counter Russia’s jet-powered drone attacks
- www.jordannews.jo — Ukraine Races to Counter Russian Jet-Powered Drones
- www.theguardian.com — Ukraine war briefing: New anti-drone weapon scores hit amid race against Shahed jets
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community