Ukrainian forces report 60% interception rate for Russian jet drones

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that its forces intercepted nearly 60% of Russian Geran-4 jet-powered drones over the past three months. Military officials stated that this interception rate is rising steadily.

During specific attacks, the shoot-down rate for these jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles can reach 80%. The General Staff credited tactical aircraft, including F-16s, Mirage fighters, and MiG-29s, with playing a major role in destroying the incoming drones.

Ukrainian commanders identified short-range air defense as a priority due to a shortage of surface-to-air guided missiles. Their systems now include Gepard and Shilka anti-aircraft guns, along with Skynex, Skyranger, and Terrahawk Paladin units. The network also utilizes interceptor drones and mobile fire groups from various defense components.

Mobile fire groups operate with machine guns and man-portable air defense systems. The General Staff noted that soldiers using these portable systems are successfully shooting down enemy jet-powered drones.

Ukrainian engineers are currently testing new interceptor models to lower the cost of countering these air threats. Some of these new interceptors have already downed several dozen Russian Geran drones. Two domestic teams are preparing surface-to-air missiles for combat use, while seven existing interceptor types remain in active service.

The Russian military has recently deployed a modification of the Geran-5 drone known as the K5-K. Ukrainian forces continue to integrate these new defense tools into their operations against the jet-powered threats.