US Edition
Ukraine bets big on interceptor drones as low-cost air shield
UKRAINE, AUG 3 – Ukrainian forces have used aerial interceptor drones to destroy around 1,500 Russian reconnaissance and kamikaze drones in recent months, reducing damage to key cities, officials said.
- In July 2025, Russia launched over 6,000 long-range drone strikes, including Shahed kamikaze attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
- This surge followed earlier reports showing Russia sent around 400 drones in July 2024 and is ramping production to nearly 100 UAVs daily to overwhelm Ukraine.
- Ukraine is responding by investing heavily in interceptor drones, with units like the 1,129th air defence regiment employing them to ram enemy drones at a fraction of missile costs.
- President Zelensky requested US$6 billion to produce 1,000 interceptor drones daily, as these drones cost about $5,000 compared to missiles costing up to $1 million.
- This strategy aims to address Russia’s overwhelming drone attacks and suggests a shift toward more cost-effective air defence amid ongoing conflict.
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18 Articles
The Ukraine is investing heavily in interception drones, which are a cost-effective way to strengthen its air defences. (International).
When President Volodimir Zelenski said at the end of last month that Ukraine needs $6 billion to finance the production of interceptive drones, setting up a 1,000-day target. After they have already changed the field of war, carrying out tasks previously reserved for long-acting rockets, field equipment and human information services, drones now fighting against Russian drones, being a real blessing for the much smaller stock of Ukraine's air de…
Ukraine is betting heavily on interceptor drones as an inexpensive air shield from the Russian “Shaheds”. Drones help preserve a valuable supply of air defense missiles, which are gradually depleted.
Why Ukraine is betting big on its interceptor drones in war against Russia
While drones are Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs), interceptor drones are UAVs built to find, follow and destroy other drones and airborne threats. These drones are built to actively engage with threats and can work autonomously or semi-autonomously. Here’s why Ukraine is turning to them in its war against Russia
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