Zelensky: Ukraine testing new weapon to catch drones — a ‘Shahed’ destroyed overnight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday, in his traditional nightly address, that Ukraine is testing a new domestically made weapon for catching enemy drones — and the test proved concrete: a “Shahed” drone was destroyed overnight.

“Another development is being tested. It is a Ukrainian development and it has scored a hit — the ‘Shahed’ was destroyed,” Zelensky said.

He also announced that Ukrainian forces downed 187 air targets overnight, while 93% of Russian drones were intercepted. “This is important. But of course more is needed,” the Ukrainian president said.

Ukraine has rapidly developed anti-drone technology since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022 and today also offers its expertise to other countries. The focus has shifted to interceptor drones — a cheaper and more efficient tool for neutralizing Russian attack drones, including the “Shaheds.”

The challenge remains, however, Russian ballistic missiles, against which Kyiv asks for more interceptors and increased support from Western allies. At the same time, Ukraine is pushing forward the initiative for the European “Freyja” air-defense system.

Source: Reuters