Ukraine tests new interceptor against Russian Shahed drones, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has successfully tested a new interceptor designed to shoot down Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. He said the interceptor struck a Shahed during the test but noted that some aspects of its control still need refinement and that work on the system continues.
Key points
- Zelensky announced the successful test of a new interceptor against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.
- During the test, the interceptor hit a Russian Shahed drone.
- Zelensky said some aspects of the interceptor's control still need to be refined and that work on the system is ongoing.
- The announcement followed a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi and Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara.
- The meeting also covered next military operations and long-range strikes, with priority targets and required assets identified.
- Zelensky said the results of long-range strikes on Russia's oil-based war economy are significant and add leverage for diplomacy.
- Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to take its own de-escalation steps if partners ensure Russia implements its de-escalation steps regarding Ukraine's critical infrastructure on a long-term, reliable basis.
Why it matters
The test marks progress in developing a domestic countermeasure against Russia's increasingly used jet-powered Shahed drones and signals continued Ukrainian efforts to expand air-defense capabilities amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine had successfully tested a new interceptor designed to shoot down Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. According to Zelensky, the interceptor struck a Shahed during the test. He added that some aspects of the interceptor's control still require refinement and that work on the system is continuing and will take more time. The announcement followed a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi and Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara, at which the participants also discussed upcoming military operations and long-range strikes, set priority targets, and determined the volume of assets needed to strike them. Zelensky said the results of long-range strikes on Russia's oil-based war economy are significant and create additional leverage for diplomacy. He also said Ukraine is ready to take its own de-escalation steps but that partners must ensure Russia implements its de-escalation steps regarding Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a long-term and reliable way.
Background
The meeting at which the announcement was made also covered next military operations and long-range strikes, with priority targets and the required assets identified. Zelensky framed long-range strikes on Russia's oil infrastructure as bolstering diplomatic leverage and said Ukraine is willing to take de-escalation steps if partners guarantee long-term protection of Ukraine's critical infrastructure.