Ukrainian intelligence agency shows how Russian drones are shot down using unmanned boats together with F-16 fighter jets – video

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has shown the joint operation of unmanned boats carrying interceptor drones and F-16 fighter jets as part of Ukraine's layered air defence. Footage of the operation was published on DIU's page.

Source: DIU

Details: Intelligence officers shared footage of an operation carried out by the Ferrata unit in September 2026 during a Russian attack drone strike on Kyiv. A special operations serviceman who goes by the alias "Deviatyi" (Ninth) said that the unmanned components were used in combination with Ukrainian aircraft.

"We are advocates of synchronising robotic equipment, technologies, other devices that can be used in combat operations, artificial intelligence and human determination," the serviceman said.

The operators of the Black Sea Legion naval division used Katran surface drones equipped with interceptor drones and radar reconnaissance equipment. The operation was conducted jointly with the Air Force and other defence forces' units.

"DIU unit operators worked out the interaction between the unmanned component and F-16 aircraft crews to protect the airspace and eliminate enemy targets from the air and water," the intelligence agency commented on the operation.

The stated operational range of the Katran family of maritime drones exceeds 1,500 km. Depending on their configuration, they can be equipped with MAC Thunder FPV attack drones, FPV drones and MAC Dead Fly interceptors.

Background:

• In May 2026, the Ukrainian maritime drone Katran X1.2 with 27 MAC Dead Fly interceptor drones was demonstrated during tests on the Dnipro. It can perform kamikaze functions, carry two R-73 short-range missiles and various types of aerial drones. The Katran X1.2 is nine metres long, has a 350-horsepower engine and a range of up to 1,600 km.
• Ukrainian companies MAC HUB and Sky Defenders signed a memorandum of cooperation that provides for the integration of Sky Defenders UAVs into the Katran family of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

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