Interceptor drones down one in three Russian drones – Ukraine's Air Force

Ukraine's Air Force has said that as of the end of winter 2026, one in three Russian drones used against Ukraine is being destroyed by interceptor drone crews.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force press service, citing Colonel Yurii Cherevashenko, Commander of Unmanned Air Defence Systems

Quote: "If we take the share of interceptor drones in the destruction of aerial assets, we have already reached the 30% mark. That means every third enemy drone destroyed in Ukraine is destroyed by an interceptor drone."

Details: Cherevashenko said Russia is constantly modifying and improving the drones it uses against Ukraine, including through the use of mesh networks and Starlink.

He said there are no problems with producing interceptor drones in Ukraine and no problems with integration, adding that the drone control system has been integrated into the overall air defence system.

Cherevashenko said that staffing is the biggest challenge and that the most valuable support from the public would be joining interceptor drone crews. Recruitment information is available on the Air Force's official social media pages or via Air Force units.

Quote: "We need young, energetic people. We invite gamers and IT specialists. We also need people who provide communications and operate high-technology systems."

More details: More on the formation of the new branch, the command of air defence unmanned systems, the future prospects for interceptor drones and innovations can be found in the video released by Ukraine's Air Force.

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