Interceptor Drones Shot Down Over 70% of Russian Shahed Drones Around Kyiv in February

Over 70% of Russian Shahed strike drones in Kyiv and its surroundings were shot down by interceptor drones during February.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced this following a meeting on “small air defense” issues.

According to him, interceptor drones are increasingly playing a key role in countering such enemy UAVs.

During the meeting, the results of the work of the I-III echelons of interception of Russian drones were analyzed, as well as the status of projects to strengthen anti-drone protection in the regions of Ukraine.

“For example, in Kyiv and its surroundings during February, the share of such interceptor drones in the destruction of ‘suicide drones’ was over 70%,” Syrskyi reported.

Separately, they discussed retrofitting army aviation helicopters to more effectively counter Shahed drones and protect important administrative centers.

“Despite the significant deterioration in weather conditions and the shortage of weapons, we did not allow a decline in ‘small air defense’ performance in February,” the Commander-in-Chief noted.

Active shooting down of Shahed

Syrskyi reported that in February, Ukrainian interceptor drones made about 6,300 sorties. At the same time, Ukrainian pilots managed to destroy over 1,500 Russian UAVs of various types.

In general, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are increasing the effectiveness of the use of interceptor drones in its air defense system.

According to, Yurii Cherevashchenko, to the deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force’s Unmanned Systems Forces, the share of interceptors in the destruction of air targets at the end of February had already reached 30%.

This means that drones eliminate every third air target. This primarily involves the interception of various types of enemy drones, including Shahed.

The use of interceptor drones reduces the load on anti-aircraft missile systems and other air defense components.