Zelenskyy: Drone interception rate must exceed 90% this autumn

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has tasked Ukraine's defence forces with shooting down more than 90% of Russian drones this autumn.

Source: Zelenskyy's address

Quote: "Right now, the Ministry of Defence, the military – everyone – must do their utmost to ensure that we have as many capabilities as possible to shoot down every type of Russian drone. I want to thank those on Ukraine's team who are truly working 24/7 to make this happen. This fall, we need to deliver a response and bring the interception rate to well above 90%."

Details: The president emphasised over just the past four days, Russian forces used nearly 1,500 drones of all types to attack Ukraine, of which approximately 800 were jet-powered.

"The most difficult task is intercepting the jet-powered ones. Now, it is mainly our combat aircraft that protect against them. We are working to ensure we have the necessary interceptors. Four companies have developed the relevant interceptor drones, and one company has the most successful technology," Zelenskyy said.

He also announced that a report on the explosions in the village of Myla in Buchanskyi district of Kyiv Oblast on 28 August should be prepared on 31 August.

"I expect law enforcement agencies to provide the public with the relevant information. It is also important that the decisions of the Government and local authorities to help our people be implemented as quickly as possible. Tomorrow is an important day. There must be a corresponding report tomorrow," the president said.

Background: Earlier, Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara reported that four potential interceptors capable of shooting down jet-powered Shahed drones have undergone field testing in Ukraine.

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