Key facts
- A new Ukrainian interceptor drone has successfully destroyed two Russian Geran-5 drones.
- Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov claimed the successful test on social media.
- The interceptor drone was developed in one month and deployed by a special forces unit within Ukraine's National Guard.
- The Geran-5 drone has a maximum speed of 600 km/h (370 mph).
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that only 57% of jet-powered drones are currently shot down by Ukraine.
A new model of interceptor drone, developed in just one month, has successfully intercepted two Russian Geran-5 drones in its first week of operation, according to claims made by former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov posted video footage of the successful interceptions on social media.
The interceptor drone was deployed by "Lasar's Group," a special forces unit within the 27th Separate Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard. This development comes as Ukrainian cities face repeated assaults from Russia's new generation of jet-powered drones, specifically the Geran-5, which experts note blurs the line between a drone and a cruise missile.
Fabian Hoffmann, a senior research fellow at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, stated that the Geran-5 "much more resembles a low-cost cruise missile than a long-range drone like the original Shahed derivatives." The Geran-5 is particularly challenging to intercept, flying at a maximum speed of 600 km/h (370 mph) and at higher altitudes than previous Russian drone models. Defense contractors are reportedly working on new interceptor drone models to counter these faster munitions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on September 28 that only 57% of jet-powered drones are currently shot down by Ukraine, a figure he described as "much less than necessary."