Inside Ukraine's drive to defeat the dreaded Shahed drone
Ukraine is intensifying efforts to counter Russia's Shahed drones, which have become a major threat due to their low cost and destructive impact, relying on interceptor drones, electronic warfare, and fighter jets to boost interception rates from 85% to around 90%. Crews face challenges including weather, evolving Russian drone technology, and the need for rapid response times, while Ukraine develops new jet-powered interceptors and automated systems. The campaign involves thousands of personnel and a multi-layered defense strategy, with some pilots now operating remotely. Despite progress, gains remain fragile as Russia adapts with AI, mesh networks, and faster, jet-powered drones.
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Inside Ukraine's drive to defeat the dreaded Shahed droneSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished Apr 29, 2026, 01:08 PMUpdated Apr 29, 2026, 01:13 PMListenKHARKIV REGION, Ukraine, April 29 - In a foggy field in northeast Ukraine, four soldiers stare at red and yellow dots on a screen in the back of a van, armed with interceptor drones and energy drinks to get through the night.These pilots, and about a thousand other crews like them, are on the frontlines of Ukraine's drive to knock one of Russia's most potent weapons out of the war: the Shahed drone."Even if you use 50 drones to shoot down one Shahed, it's worth it," said Borys, the commander of the crew, who was a TV news producer before the war upended his life.
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