Ukraine’s interceptor crews destroyed thousands of Russian aerial targets during Vivaldi. Jet-powered Shaheds remain a challenge

In the third phase of Operation Vivaldi, Ukrainian interceptor crews destroyed thousands of Russian aerial targets, according to ArmyInform. The operation, which took place north of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, saw Ukrainian forces liberate five settlements and expand their gains to 176 square kilometers. The commander of the 1030th Anti-Aircraft Missile-Artillery Regiment "Aquila," known as "Betsyk," reported that his unit neutralized Russian drone defenses by targeting reconnaissance drones such as Zala, Orlan, Supercam, Merlin, and Knyaz Veshchiy Oleg.

Russian forces also deployed strike drones, including first-person-view (FPV) quadcopters, Molniya fixed-wing FPV drones, and Lancet crews. Betsyk noted that the main challenge for Ukrainian interceptors is the high speed of jet-powered Shaheds, which require drones to reach 500-600 km/h to be intercepted. While Ukrainian interceptor crews have destroyed some jet-powered Shaheds, they do not do so in significant numbers.

Instead, they primarily use conventional air-defense systems, which are historically designed to engage jet-powered targets. Betsyk expects Russia to adapt if Ukraine fields effective interceptors against jet-powered drones, and that the battalion has not observed a major evolution so far.