Zelensky: Russia plans to spend $12 billion on jet-powered drones next year

In his evening address on September 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, citing Ukrainian military intelligence, that Kyiv has obtained internal Russian documents showing the volumes of weapons Russia is preparing to produce next year and the funds earmarked for them.

“Next year, just for the production of jet-powered drones and loitering munitions, Russia plans to spend $12 billion on this one category of weapons,” Zelensky said, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.

In recent months Russia has relied increasingly on jet-powered drones; in some attacks on Kyiv they have made up around two-thirds of all drones launched. Ukraine currently intercepts about 55% of Russian jet-powered Shaheds — more than 2,730 were launched in September alone — and aims to raise the interception rate to the level of conventional Shaheds, above 90%.

Zelensky said Ukraine is scaling up production of interceptor drones — several prototypes are already being tested in combat, some as a primary means of defense. “We are increasing production and components. There will be a response,” he said. Ukraine has signed 11 drone deals — the 11th, with Finland, was signed this week in New York — and is preparing a 12th.

The planned spending shows Moscow is not preparing to stop the war “at least for now,” Zelensky said, urging partners to increase pressure through sanctions and joint efforts against drones.

Zelensky also said Russia is waging a campaign against Ukrainian data centers, infrastructure and communications, aiming to leave Ukrainians without internet and digital services; the September 26 attacks caused internet outages in Kyiv.