Ukraine’s jet-drone kill rate just hit 55%. Russia’s answer: $12 billion to make more of them

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on September 26 that his defense forces intercepted 55% of Russia's jet-propelled drones launched in September, totaling over 1,500 out of 2,730. Russia has shifted from using Shaheds with propellers, which Ukraine became skilled at shooting down at a 90% rate, to jet-propelled models that fly faster and resist jamming.

Zelenskyy said intelligence had briefed him on Russia's weapons production, particularly concerning jet Shaheds and other technological systems. He stressed that Ukraine would respond to every line item in Russia's plan, promising production and financial scaling up for interceptors. Russia plans to spend $12 billion in 2027 on jet drones and loitering munitions, impacting not only Ukraine but potentially other countries.

The warning comes after Russia struck a Kyiv data center twice on September 27, injuring three people, including two children, and killing one man in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and one in Kyiv. Russia launched over 2,200 strike drones, 1,650 aerial bombs, and 38 missiles at Ukraine this week. Ukraine's response has been interceptor drones, which are cheap and fast, aided by machine vision guidance.