Ukraine war latest: Zelensky approves 'new long-range operations' in response to Russian strikes

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Zelensky Approves Long-Range Strikes and Scales Up Interceptor Drones

   Ukrainian leadership has approved new long-range operations and ordered a scale-up of jet-powered drone interceptors in response to recent Russian strikes. Ukrainian forces are deploying a growing fleet of high-speed interceptors, including the STING S interceptor and the Zorelit v5 developed by Vluchnyk, to counter fast Russian jet-powered Shahed attack drones. Meanwhile, Russian state corporation Rostec introduced a domestically produced Igla small-arms system featuring a modular rifle and five types of rounds to substitute for foreign equivalents blocked by sanctions.

   Why it matters

   The escalation highlights an ongoing technological race in aerial warfare, as both sides rapidly adapt offensive and defensive drone capabilities. Ukraine is actively racing to counter incoming jet-powered attacks by fielding specialized interceptor systems. Concurrently, Russia continues domestic manufacturing adjustments to offset Western sanctions restrictions on defense and sporting equipment.

   What is confirmed

   • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved new long-range operations and targeted strikes on Russian positions.
   • Ukraine is deploying new high-speed interceptors, such as the STING S and the Zorelit v5, to counter Russian jet-powered attack drones.
   • Russian state corporation Rostec introduced a fully domestically produced Igla small-arms system comprising a modular rifle and five rounds.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The STING S interceptor has successfully destroyed a dozen Russian jet drones.

   What to watch next

   • Deployment scaling and combat efficacy reports of Ukraine's new high-speed interceptor fleet against Russian jet-powered drones
   • Execution details and targets for Ukraine's newly approved long-range operations
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Reuters — Ukraine races to counter Russia's jet-powered drone attacks
   2. Українська правда — Zelenskyy unveils new interceptor drone for jet-powered Shahed drones – video
   3. UNITED24 Media — Zelenskyy Approves New Long-Range Strikes on Russian Targets, Orders Jet-Powdered Drone Interceptor Scale-Up
   4. Business Insider — Ukraine's answer to Russia's new jet-powered drones takes a Shahed-like form
   5. The Kyiv Independent — Ukraine war latest: Zelensky approves 'new long-range operations' in response to Russian strikes
   6. Business Insider — New Ukrainian Interceptors Downing Fastest Russian Jet-Powered Drones
   7. UNITED24 Media — Ukraine’s STING S Interceptor Destroys Dozen Russian Jet Drones
   8. Мілітарний — Vluchnyk Unveils New Zorelit v5 Interceptor Drone
   9. Yahoo — Ukraine's growing fleet of new high-speed interceptors is downing Russia's fastest attack drones
   10. tass.com — Rostec introduces fully domestically produced Igla small-arms system
   11. tass.com — Scientists to improve equipment efficiency for biofuel boilers in Arctic
   confidence 90%