Ukrainian forces boost jet-drone shoot-downs to nearly 60 percent
General Staff data shows interception rates rising as tactical aircraft and mobile fire groups counter Russian Geran-4 attacks.
By Dominic Foster ·
Ukraine has raised its average shoot-down rate for Russian Geran-4 jet-powered drones to nearly 60 percent over the last three months, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The military reports that interception rates for these fast-flying threats are steadily increasing.
During specific attacks, the success rate can reach 80 percent. The General Staff attributes this improvement to the active role of tactical aviation, including F-16, Mirage, and MiG-29 aircraft, which are currently destroying a large portion of the incoming jet-powered UAVs.
The General Staff identified strengthening short-range air defense as a key priority amid a shortage of surface-to-air guided missiles. These defenses include anti-aircraft gun systems like the Gepard and Shilka, alongside newer Skynex, Skyranger, and Terrahawk Paladin systems. Mobile fire groups from various branches of the defense forces are also engaged in these intercepts.
"Mobile fire groups are equipped not only with machine guns and associated equipment, but also with man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS)," the General Staff stated. "Using MANPADS, our warriors are now shooting down the enemy's jet-powered drones quite successfully."
Ukrainian teams are testing new interceptor models to lower the cost of countering these air threats. Some of these new interceptors have already shot down several dozen Russian jet-powered Gerans. Two teams are also preparing domestically developed surface-to-air missiles for combat use, while the country currently employs seven interceptor types that have proven effective against the Russian drones.
Russia has recently begun using a modification of the Geran-5 jet-powered UAV designated as the Geran-5 K5-K. The Ukrainian military continues to adjust its tactics to address this evolving threat.
