Ukraine Reports First Drone Interception of Russian KUB-2E Loitering Munition

Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted a Russian KUB-2E loitering munition for the first time during the conflict. The Posipaky drone unit, a part of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI), achieved this feat in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Ukrainian defense industry association stated that the interception was carried out by a General Chereshnia AIR interceptor drone.

The General Chereshnia FPV team also reported the interception and congratulated the Posipaky unit, noting the addition of a new page to their registry of destroyed or rare equipment. A video of the engagement, recorded by the interceptor's onboard camera, was shared by both the NKUDI and the FPV team, though Kyiv Post could not independently verify the footage's time and location.

The KUB-2E is a Russian-made weapon designed to target personnel, military equipment, and drone operators. It typically operates in conjunction with a reconnaissance drone to identify targets, with the operator guiding the attack using the onboard video feed. The KUB-2E family includes various versions with different payloads and ranges, some carrying thermobaric warheads and having ranges up to 40 kilometers.

The weapon's electric propulsion reduces its acoustic signature, and newer variants boast improved resistance to electronic warfare. Ukrainian interceptor crews have previously downed other Russian reconnaissance aircraft, including the ZALA Z-20, which reportedly costs around $200,000. The electrically-powered Z-20 monitors the battlefield, identifies targets, and adjusts artillery fire, with a claimed flight time of over six hours and video transmission exceeding 100 kilometers.

The General Chereshnia AIR interceptor has been utilized by numerous Ukrainian units, credited with over 300 confirmed interceptions of Russian reconnaissance drones by December 2025, including those from Orlan-10, ZALA, Supercam, and Merlin models.