Ukraine Fast-Tracks Interceptors for Jet-Powered Shahed

Ukraine is fast-tracking high-speed interceptor drones to counter Russia’s increasingly deployed jet-powered Shaheds, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, Sept. 3, after chairing a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. In a Telegram post, Zelensky said Ukrainian manufacturers had already developed prototypes and were working to bring the new weapons to the required level of effectiveness.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “There are manufacturers in Ukraine capable of completing this task,” Zelensky said. “It is important to complete it within the established deadlines.” Ukraine pushes prototypes toward mass production The announcement comes as Russia expands its use of faster, jet-powered Shaheds, which are more difficult and expensive to intercept than conventional propeller-driven models. On Aug. 30, Zelensky said Russia had launched almost 1,500 drones of different types against Ukraine over four days, including about 800 jet-powered models, according to The Guardian. He said four Ukrainian companies had developed relevant interceptor technology, with one producing the most promising system. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara previously said four potential interceptor models capable of destroying jet-powered Shaheds had undergone field testing. The next task was to improve the systems and scale production to thousands of units, Ukrainska Pravda reported. Zelensky thanked every company involved in developing the weapons but did not identify the manufacturers or disclose the deadlines set at the meeting. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Official Says Strategic Attacks in Russia Could End Drone Terror The Ukrainian Armed Forces are increasing pressure on Russian airports, a campaign Kovalenko says will affect Russia’s economy and daily life. Businesses to join air defense production Officials also discussed involving Ukrainian businesses in the production, supply and configuration of selected air defense systems. Zelensky said specific tasks and deadlines had been established for this work. The broader goal is to provide Ukraine with sufficient numbers of high-speed interceptor drones and cheaper missiles as Russia increases production of its own high-speed attack weapons. Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence agencies had detailed information about Russia’s plans and that Kyiv was directing resources toward countering the growing threat. “We will also act asymmetrically,” he said. “The relevant operations have been approved.” The president, consistent with standard operational security (OPSEC) requirements, did not provide details about the operations or their potential targets. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.