Kyiv Turns the Tables: Cheap Interceptor Drones Take on Russian Shaheds
Ukraine is massively scaling up its air defenses, deploying “tens of thousands” of interceptor drones to counter Russia’s relentless use of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, Defense Procurement Agency head Arsen Zhumadilov confirmed, The Gaze reports, citing Forbes.
“Tens of thousands [of interceptor drones]. This is what we have already contracted and will continue to contract,” Zhumadilov told Babel. “We will definitely contract everything that the state budget can afford.”
Russia launched over 5,000 Shahed-type drones in June alone—far too many for expensive Patriot missiles, which are reserved for more advanced threats like cruise and ballistic missiles.
While a single Patriot costs $3.3 million, Ukrainian interceptors range from just $1,000 to $5,000 and can be rapidly mass-produced.
Ukraine has adapted FPV drones, once used for ground attack, into agile aerial interceptors. These are now essential, as Shaheds fly at over 10,000 feet—out of reach of machine guns—and dive vertically onto targets.
President Zelenskyy praised the new defense strategy this week, writing: “Interceptor drones are performing especially well — already hundreds of Russian-Iranian Shahed drones have been shot down this week.”
Even Russian defense industry leader Alexey Rogozin acknowledged Ukraine’s success, noting that over 500 Shaheds had been downed over Kyiv by Ukraine’s “urban anti-drone dome.”
The shift marks a turning point in modern warfare. For the first time, defending against drone swarms is cheaper than launching them—a development that could reshape future conflicts worldwide.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukrainian Interceptor Drones Now Targeting Shahed UAVs, Says Ukraine’s MoD