Ukraine’s SBU detains two Russian soldiers disguised as civilians en route to Kyiv

Ukraine's air defenses have intercepted an estimated 60% of Russian Geran-4 jet-powered attack drones over the past three months, with intercept rates peaking at 80% during specific assaults, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Fighter jets, including F-16s, Mirage aircraft, and MiG-29s, are critical in taking down Russian jet-powered drones, the General Staff noted.

The report did not provide interception statistics for more advanced Geran-5 drones. Ukraine is also seeking to bolster its short-range air defenses due to a shortage of surface-to-air missiles, incorporating systems like Gepard, Shilka, Skynex, Skyranger, and Terrahawk Paladin, as well as interceptor drones and mobile fire groups across the nation's Defense Forces.

Russia's Geran drones have top speeds ranging from (Julia Zakharevych/The Kyiv Independent). In addition to deploying mobile fire groups armed with machine guns and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Ukrainian forces have successfully utilized these weapons to destroy Russian jet-powered drones. The General Staff further revealed that Ukraine is exploring more cost-effective methods to counter the threat, including testing new interceptor drones, some of which have already successfully destroyed dozens of Russian jet-powered Geran drones, according to the military.

Russia has ramped up its use of jet-powered drones to strike Kyiv and its surrounding areas since late summer, exacerbating the threat posed by conventional Shahed-type drones and missiles. The more advanced Geran-5 drones fly at higher altitudes and greater speeds, rendering them significantly more challenging to intercept. Their increasing numbers have also put pressure on Ukraine's existing interceptor drones, which have previously achieved interception rates of approximately 95% against conventional Shahed-type drones.