{
  "id": 13989764,
  "title": "Fedorov and Yelizarov develop new interceptor drone that has already downed two jet-powered Shaheds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/fedorov-and-yelizarov-develop-new-interceptor-drone-that-has-already",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T15:39:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-s-new-interceptor-downs-two-geran-5-drones-50649350.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed on October 12, 2026, that a recently developed interceptor drone had already successfully shot down two Russian Geran-5 jet-powered drones heading towards Kyiv. Fedorov noted that the entire development process from conception to the first confirmed interception took just one month. Combat testing was performed by teams from Lasar's Group, a special operations unit of Ukraine's National Guard. The interceptor's high speed allows it to neutralize jet-powered Shahed drones before they reach urban areas, according to Fedorov. He stated that the team is currently enhancing the technology and increasing production, with the ultimate goal of creating a fully autonomous system capable of detecting and intercepting Russian drones without human intervention. Fedorov emphasized that the interceptor drone is just one of several new defense technologies being developed to safeguard Ukrainian cities. The former defense minister highlighted that his team now operates in the private sector, bringing together top Ukrainian engineers, military expertise, and resources. Together with military leader Pavlo Yelizarov, they are working on a variety of new products and technologies to bolster Ukraine's airspace defense and support frontline troops. \"Our mission remains steadfast: to achieve independence and protect lives. We are creating innovative solutions that provide us with an edge against our adversaries,\" Fedorov asserted. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously reported that Ukrainian forces had tested four new interceptors against jet-powered drones on September 23, 2026, during his address to the U.N. General Assembly. He also mentioned that Ukrainian air defenses were intercepting approximately 70% of drones during major Russian assaults, with a 57% interception rate among jet-powered drones. On September 29, Zelenskyy announced the identification of the first weapon prototypes specifically designed to destroy jet-powered Shahed drones. On October 4, he disclosed that at least 12.50-caliber gun turrets had been installed in Kyiv to counter jet-powered drones, with an additional eight planned for deployment in the Kyiv Oblast. Serhiy Flash Beskrestnov, Zelenskyy's adviser on defense technology development, explained that these turrets utilize AI-controlled machine guns to intercept Shahed drones. Ukrainian Air Force Command head Yuriy Ihnat confirmed the use of AI-powered robotic turrets against Russian jet-powered drones, including the Geran-5, shortly thereafter.",
  "summary": "Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that a new interceptor drone developed with military personnel and engineers had already shot down two Russian Geran-5 jet-powered drones heading toward Kyiv on Oct. 12.",
  "key_points": [
    "Development from conception to first confirmed interception took just one month.",
    "Teams from Lasar's Group conducted combat testing of the high-speed interceptor drone."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}