Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Officially Adopts Shvidun Drone, Already Downing About 100 Enemy UAVs

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially adopted the Shvidun unmanned aerial system for use by the Defense Forces.

The drone was specifically designed to intercept enemy strike drones such as Shahed/Geran and Gerbera, the Ministry of Defense reported. It also performs effectively against Russian reconnaissance drones, including Zala, Supercam, and Skat, making it a versatile air defense tool.

The Shvidun is built from high-strength composite materials, combining light weight and durability. Weighing about 8 kg with a wingspan of nearly 2 meters, the drone can reach altitudes of up to 6 km.

One of the key advantages of the system is its speed, which exceeds 250 km/h. Engineers incorporated solutions that eliminate flutter — body vibrations at high speeds — ensuring the drone camera delivers a clear image to the operator for accurate targeting.

The interceptor has a range of over 70 km, allowing a single system to cover a significant area around Ukrainian cities or strategic sites. Shvidun can stay airborne for over two hours, patrolling a designated area while awaiting targets.

The design also allows for low-speed takeoffs and landings, enabling safe recovery if a target is lost or a mission is canceled, making the drone reusable.

To date, the Shvidun has confirmed about 100 destroyed enemy UAVs, making it one of the most effective domestic interceptor drones in service.