Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said Ukrainian interceptor drones destroyed more than 1,500 Russian drones in February, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukraine’s increasing reliance on drone-based air defense.
Speaking on March 3, Syrskyi said that despite significantly worsening weather conditions and ongoing weapons shortages, the effectiveness of Ukraine’s small air defense units did not decline.
According to the general, Ukrainian interceptor drones carried out approximately 6,300 sorties over the past month, destroying more than 1,500 Russian UAVs of various types launched against Ukrainian territory.
Syrskyi emphasized that he is personally monitoring the implementation of projects aimed at strengthening anti-drone protection, particularly efforts to counter Russian Shahed-type strike UAVs. He said the key role in this effort is increasingly shifting to interceptor drones.
In Kyiv and the surrounding region during February, interceptor drones accounted for more than 70 percent of successful engagements against Shahed drones, he noted.
The Commander-in-Chief also said he received reports on the progress of an anti-drone protection project covering important administrative centers across Ukrainian regions, as well as updates on the modernization of army aviation helicopters to improve their ability to counter Shahed drones.
He added that Ukrainian forces are adapting to new Russian tactics involving the use of Shahed-type drones flying at extremely low altitudes. Work is ongoing with manufacturers to improve the effectiveness of various interceptor drone models.
Syrskyi said that following the meeting, he issued instructions to relevant military command bodies, including newly established structures.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s interceptor drones had achieved a 68 percent success rate in neutralizing Russian Shahed drones. In an October 2025 interview, Zelenskyy described the interceptors as the most cost-effective method for countering the Iranian-made UAVs used by Russian forces.
He noted that a single interceptor drone costs between $3,000 and $5,000, while the Shahed drones they destroy are valued at up to $150,000. According to Zelenskyy, that economic balance makes the approach favorable for Ukraine, although significant additional funding is required to scale production.
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Post Image Credit: Oleksandr Syrskyi via Telegram
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