Key facts
- Ukraine is testing a new domestically developed weapon to intercept drones.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a successful test hit on a Russian Shahed drone.
- Technical aspects of the new interceptor's control still need refinement.
- Russia's jet-powered drones are faster and harder to intercept than propeller-driven ones.
- Ukraine's forces downed 187 airborne targets overnight, with 93% of all Russian drones intercepted.
- Belarus is conducting 'defensive' military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania.
Ukraine is testing a new domestically developed weapon designed to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on September 15. He stated that the weapon, referred to as a 'shahed' interceptor, scored a successful hit overnight, though he noted that "some technical things still need to be refined" and that "a bit more time" is needed.
Zelensky's remarks come as Ukraine faces an increasing threat from Russia's deployment of faster, jet-powered drones, which are more challenging for air defenses to counter. The Ukrainian military reported downing 187 airborne targets overnight, with Zelensky highlighting that 93% of all Russian drones were intercepted, calling it "significant" but stating that "more is needed."
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has rapidly developed anti-drone technology, focusing on interceptors as a cost-effective means of defense. However, Ukrainian forces have struggled more with intercepting Russian ballistic missiles and have requested increased supplies of interceptors from Western allies. The country is also pushing for the rapid development of a European-designed air defense system known as Freyja.
In a separate incident on the morning of September 15, Russia attacked Kyiv, resulting in one fatality and at least 12 injuries. Meanwhile, Belarus announced it was holding 'defensive' military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania from September 15-18, stating the drills aim to enhance border security and counter sabotage groups and drones.