Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin urged his Western allies to support the development of interceptor drones, a technology he now believes is crucial for defending the country against Russian air attacks. Speaking in his daily video address, the head of state said the request followed a strategic meeting with Ukraine's top military leaders.
According to Zelensky, the goal is to design drones capable of neutralizing other drones in mid-flight, particularly Shahed attack models, supplied to Russia by Iran and repeatedly used against Ukrainian targets. He instructed the Defense Ministry and the Foreign Ministry to work closely with Western partners to finance the production of these interceptor aircraft.
"This is one of the most advanced technologies in modern warfare," Zelensky said, adding that every Ukrainian region would have a role to play in the mission. The president emphasized that the initiative was part of a broader strategy to modernize the country's defense capabilities, complementing the sophisticated air defense systems that Ukraine continues to request from its allies.
Since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukraine has significantly increased its drone production capacity. Last October, Zelensky stated that his country could achieve annual production of four million drones, a statement that marked a turning point in Ukrainian military doctrine, which has historically had little focus on this technology.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had very limited drone capabilities. But with the intensification of strikes, particularly those targeting civilian infrastructure, the development of autonomous countermeasures has become a national priority. International assistance could thus play a decisive role in the rapid implementation of this new line of defense.
