Ukraine races to counter Russia’s jet-powered drone attacks

Paramedics prepare to transport a resident injured during a Russian drone strike on a gas station in Kyiv on Tuesday. | REUTERS

REUTERS

Sep 16, 2026

KYIV/LONDON – In early July, Ukraine’s military invited a large group of producers to test a new generation of interceptors developed to counter the jet-powered attack drones Russia has used to devastating effect in recent months.

According to two sources familiar with the exercise, it did not go to plan.

Many of the interceptor drones proved difficult to control at speeds sometimes exceeding 400 kilometers per hour. Some crashed into nearby fields and forests, the sources said.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.