Bild: Ukrainian interceptor UAVs against Russo-Iranian Shahed drones planned for 2025

Ukraine is developing a three-phase drone strategy to counter Russian UAVs. The plan evolves from reprogrammed quadcopters to fixed-wing interceptors, with the goal of deploying long-range "Shahed killers" by 2025, per Bild sources.

Sep 8, 2024 - 17:00
Bild: Ukrainian interceptor UAVs against Russo-Iranian Shahed drones planned for 2025

bild ukrainian interceptor uavs against russo-iranian shahed drones planned 2025 russia's lantset loitering munition moments before intercepted fpv drone's footage https//tme/karymat/8922

Ukraine is developing a three-phase strategy to counter Russian drones in the ongoing war, according Bild. The plan focuses on creating “anti-drone” drones capable of intercepting and destroying various types of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The battlefield in Ukraine is oversaturated with drones of various types, including commercial quadcopters used for reconnaissance and dropping grenades, to larger bomber drones and fixed-wing recon UAV, FPV suicide drones, and long-range suicide drones. Russia conducts daily drone attacks on Ukraine’s rear areas, deploying Iranian long-range Shahed-131/136 one-way attack drones and putting strain on air defenses.

A Ukrainian officer told Bild that Russia’s air superiority is “breaking our necks,” citing long-range drones, fighter jets, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles as significant threats. However, conventional responses such as destroying Russian airfields using Western-supplied missiles are prohibited for Ukraine by the US and other missile suppliers.