Spain, Belgium, Poland send Ukraine F-16 ammunition to shoot down jet-powered drones
Three European countries have begun supplying Ukraine with 20mm rounds for F-16 fighter jet cannons, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said during a meeting with journalists on Oct. 1.
Russian jet-powered Geran-5 drones are outpacing Ukraine's interceptor technology, according to defense sources. On September 15, 2026, the Geran-5 struck the Presidium building of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences, an iconic Tsarist-era structure in Kyiv, causing a fire and killing two people. An hour later, the same type of drone hit a private medical clinic.
Senior defense engineers say the Geran-5 is significantly more difficult to intercept than previous Russian drone generations, as it flies 150km/h faster. Launched in waves, Russian jet drones target civilian infrastructure, disrupting daily life in Kyiv. Constant air alerts have forced businesses to close, costing the Ukrainian economy $45 million per hour.
Russia produces around 3,000 jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones per month, with Colonel Yurii Ihnat stating that two-thirds of daily launches are jet-powered. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that Russia can currently produce 3,000 such drones per month, with Moscow aiming to increase this number. Only 57% of jet-powered drones are currently shot down by Ukraine, President Zelensky admitted.
The Geran-5's high-speed design and cruise missile form make it more challenging to intercept compared to older piston-engined drones. Its cost is estimated at around $115,000, significantly higher than older models but still less expensive than traditional cruise missiles.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Ukraine's interceptor tech outpaced by Russia’s jet-powered Geran-5 drones kyivindependent.com
