Ukrainian Forces Shoot Down AI-Equipped Molniya UAV for the First Time

In late June, Ukraine’s Defense Forces successfully intercepted Russian Molniya drones equipped with artificial intelligence for the first time.

The aerial targets were destroyed using domestically produced General Cherry AIR and Bullet interceptor drones during the repulsion of an attack over Zaporizhzhia, the company General Cherry shared with Militarnyi.

Representatives of the Special Purpose Police Battalion of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Police Department, as well as soldiers from the Posipaky UAV Interceptor Division of the 39th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment and the 23rd Khortytsia National Guard Brigade, also reported the interception.

Serhii Flash Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Minister of Defense on electronic warfare, reported that these drones are equipped with a separate detonation circuit. It is triggered when the top cover is opened.

Military officials noted that this is one of the first confirmed cases of the effective interception of a new variant of the Molniya drone. Currently, the Russian army is actively testing these unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to preliminary data, the Russian Federation’s 50th Varyag Unmanned Systems Brigade is deploying these AI-equipped drones. This unit is involved in testing new technologies on the front lines.

The Russian Varyag Brigade operates in conjunction with the Rubicon Center. These two units are currently among the main operators of new unmanned technologies used by Russian occupation forces in this sector.

The Zaporizhzhia region has now become one of the key testing grounds for Russian technologies.

Military personnel have documented the use of a wide range of equipment in this sector—from long-range FPV drones to upgraded Molniya drones. In addition, the invaders continue to deploy Shahed/Geran-type attack UAVs.

Operators emphasize that shooting down these new drones is a difficult task because they fly autonomously and are hard to detect with current equipment. On average, the Russians launch up to 10 such Molniya drones at various times of the day.

On June 17, the Russian corporation Rostec presented the new Lightning 13 UAV at the National Security. Belarus-2026 exhibition.

It is under this name that the Russians are promoting their Molniya drone—which they are using in Ukraine—for export.