Russia unleashes jet-powered drones on Ukraine: Why they pose critical threat
Russia adopts new tactics, using jet-powered drones that are far harder to down due to their superior speed.
Jet drones can reach flight altitudes of 9–10 km
Russia is continuing to modify its «Shahed"-type loitering munitions, now equipping them with jet engines. These drones are significantly harder for radar systems to detect and track due to their increased velocity.
Valeriy Borovyk, combat veteran and founder of the defense company First Contact, discussed this on Kyiv 24.
According to Borovyk, Ukraine must urgently scale up its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and light aviation to avoid exhausting expensive F-16 missiles on these relatively low-cost targets.
«The issue isn’t the payload’s power, but the limited ability of mobile fire groups to neutralize such high-speed aircraft with their current equipment. Ukraine must outpace the enemy in adapting defense systems to these fast-moving UAVs. Enhancing electronic warfare is a top priority in countering jet-powered threats,» he said.