Zelensky: Ukraine intercepts 70% of drones, 57% of reactive Shaheds

Why it matters

Zelensky's figures give the first public quantification of Ukraine's interception performance against Russian drones and pinpoint a specific vulnerability: the 57% rate against reactive (jet-powered) Shaheds is well below the 70% overall figure and shows where Russia is gaining ground as it scales up jet-powered strikes. The simultaneous rollout of domestically developed interceptor drones signals a tactical shift toward kinetic counter-UAV capabilities, though Zelensky acknowledged the new systems still need work before mass production. The human toll of 28 September — at least nine killed and more than 80 injured across multiple cities — illustrates the cost of the remaining interception gap.

What happened

In his evening address on 28 September 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian air defenses are shooting down 70% of all drones launched against them and 57% of reactive (jet-powered) Shahed-type drones. He said the reactive-drone rate is significantly lower than needed. Zelensky reported that Russia launched more than 120 drones during the day, about 90 of them reactive; the Air Force of Ukraine, reporting as of 18:30, said Russia attacked with 124 strike UAVs, 86 of them reactive, plus Gerbera, "Banderole"/"Dan-T" and other drone types. The day's strikes killed at least nine people and injured more than 80 across multiple regions, according to Zelensky.

The attacks hit several urban targets. In Kyiv, a reactive Shahed struck the building of the National Academy of Sciences in the Shevchenkivskyi district, killing Nataliia Bukalo, an assistant to former NSDC Secretary Volodymyr Horbulin; six people were injured and one person was later being searched for under the rubble, with debris clearance ongoing. Education Minister Andriy Butenko also reported one killed in that strike. A Russian drone hit the Dobrobut medical clinic in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv, injuring eight people. In Dnipro, a business center was hit, killing three and injuring 18. A 12-story residential building in Odesa was damaged, injuring four. A strike on a Ukrzaliznytsia enterprise in Zaporizhzhia injured more than 30. Russia also attacked Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, and one reactive drone reached the border with Poland. The Air Force reported air defense shot down or suppressed 86 UAVs, 49 of them reactive, with hits recorded at 26 locations.

On the response side, Zelensky said new Ukrainian interceptor drones against reactive drones are being actively tested and that some combat groups are already using them, but further refinement is needed before they are effective enough for mass production. "We are accelerating the developers," he said. Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine could begin mass combat use of domestically produced drone interceptors within the next few months.

Where reporting differs

Sources differ on the day's drone totals: Zelensky cited more than 120 drones launched, about 90 of them reactive, while the Air Force of Ukraine reported 124 strike UAVs, 86 of them reactive. There is also a gap on reactive-drone interception rates: Zelensky put the figure at 57%, whereas the Financial Times, citing Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat, reported an interception rate of about 60% for reactive drones.

Background

Russia is increasing its use of reactive (jet-powered) Shahed/Geran drones in strikes on Ukraine, forcing the country's Defense Forces to adapt their air defense approaches. On 26 September, Zelensky said Russia plans to spend $12 billion next year on production of reactive drones and loitering munitions. During September, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 2,730 reactive Shaheds, of which more than 1,500 were shot down or suppressed. The Financial Times, citing Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat, reported that Ukraine intercepts only about 60% of reactive drones, while drones with gasoline engines are intercepted in 90–95% of cases. Sixty-seven Ukrainian enterprises are working on technologies to intercept reactive drones. Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine could begin mass combat use of domestically produced drone interceptors within the next few months. Specific domestic systems cited in earlier reporting include the Alexa Spatium interceptor, in use since August, and the "Zorelit v5", with a maximum speed of 416 km/h and a range of up to 47 km on a single charge. On 19 September, Zelensky publicly demonstrated an interceptor shooting down a reactive drone, including a Geran-5, and said the new interceptor had been "created and already successfully used". On 23 September, Zelensky reported successful combat testing of four new interceptors for reactive Shaheds, though they were not yet being mass-produced.