Russia has introduced a more difficult threat for Ukraine’s air defences with new jet-powered drones flying at higher speeds and altitudes.
Moscow has launched waves of the drones against Kyiv in recent weeks. The attacks have triggered almost constant air raid alerts across the Ukrainian capital.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the recent attacks as a “horror” in the sky. He also promised a response to Russia’s new tactics.
The latest drones create a major challenge for Ukraine. Its air defence network had become highly effective against slower attack drones.
However, the new aircraft move much faster and fly higher.
New drones challenge Ukraine’s defences
Ukraine built much of its low-cost drone defence system after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
The country has since become a leader in drone defence technology. It has also reached agreements with Western and Middle Eastern partners to share technology.
Until recently, Ukraine’s interceptors destroyed most conventional attack drones.
Those older models typically use combustion engines and propellers. Russia has also used designs based on Iran’s Shahed drones.
The new jet-powered models present a different problem.
Experts say the drones use small aircraft-style jet engines made in China. They can reportedly reach altitudes of around five kilometres.
They can also travel at 400 to 600 kilometres per hour.
That speed makes them up to three times faster than earlier models.
Jet drones carry larger explosive loads
The latest drones also carry more explosives.
According to the report, they can carry as much as 90 kilograms of explosives. That figure nearly doubles the payload of earlier models.
The aircraft are also much larger.
They measure around six metres in length and have a wingspan of about 5.5 metres.
Their combination of speed and altitude creates a serious defence problem.
Ukrainian military expert Sergiy Zgurets said the new drones could erase some of Ukraine’s progress against Russian attacks.
Analysts say their performance makes them look more like cruise missiles than traditional drones.
Russia has also rapidly increased production and use.
Estimates suggest Moscow launched about 2,800 jet-powered drones in August. That compares with around 1,500 in July and only a few hundred in June.
Ukraine destroys about 60% of the new drones, according to a Ukrainian air force spokesman.
By comparison, Ukrainian forces destroy more than 90% of slower and lower-flying drones.
Kyiv struggles to maintain normal life
The drone campaign has added pressure to a city already facing more Russian missile attacks.
On Friday, a jet-powered drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s security service in central Kyiv.
The attack highlighted the growing reach of the new weapons. Ukrainian officials also linked the strike to the diplomatic efforts involving U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Meanwhile, daily life in Kyiv has become increasingly difficult.
The city can experience up to a dozen air alerts in a single day. During those warnings, businesses and institutions often close.
Metro services can also face restrictions.
As a result, traffic builds up on the roads while residents gather in safer locations.
Schools have also faced disruption. Many switched to remote learning after reopening following the summer break.
Reuters has separately reported that near-constant Russian drone attacks have disrupted schools, transport and daily life across Kyiv.
Ukraine races to develop new interceptors
Ukrainian officials have faced criticism for failing to anticipate the new threat.
Analysts say Russia began producing jet-powered drones around 18 months ago. Moscow can now reportedly manufacture about 3,000 each month.
Zelensky has responded by pushing for faster interceptor drones.
He recently convened his military cabinet to accelerate that work.
Ukraine already has prototypes, but officials still need to improve their performance.
One Ukrainian defence company that produces drone interceptors has also said it is working on a response.
However, experts say Ukraine needs more than faster interceptors.
Zgurets argues that Ukraine should combine aircraft, surface-to-air systems and electronic warfare.
He also supports more attacks against Russian launch and production facilities.
For now, Russia appears to hold an advantage in this latest technological race.
Zgurets warned that Ukraine could need up to six months to develop effective countermeasures.
The pressure is already visible across Kyiv. And as Russia continues to send faster drones into Ukrainian skies, Ukraine faces a race to adapt before the threat grows even further.
