Ukrainian Aviation Intercepts Up to 60% of Russian Jet-Powered Shaheds, Zelenskyy Says
Ukrainian aviation is responsible for intercepting 55% to 60% of all downed Russian jet-powered Shahed drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 17, citing expanded ammunition supplies for F-16 fighter jets and new agreements with international partners, UATV English reports. Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had secured additional contracts for 20 mm ammunition used by…
Ukrainian fighter jets are credited with intercepting between 55% and 60% of downed Russian Shahed drone attacks, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17. The president attributed this success to increased ammunition supplies for F-16 fighter jets and new agreements with international allies. Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine had obtained additional contracts for 20 mm ammunition, allowing its aircraft to play a more significant role in countering aerial threats.
In addition to bolstering its air defense capabilities, Ukraine is developing new technologies from partners and has started producing defense systems, including gun turrets. The president also mentioned ongoing negotiations with European nations for air defense systems and interceptor missiles like PAC-2 and PAC-3, with many US PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles having been redirected to the Middle East due to heightened regional tensions.
Ukraine continues to receive aid through NATO's PURL initiative and is working on strengthening its anti-ballistic defense through the European Freyja project and German contracts. The president emphasized the need for additional European air defense packages while parallel development of domestic anti-ballistic defense continues in Germany.
Written by urgent.news from UATV English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
