Ukraine to deploy 1,000 interceptor drones daily to counter Russian strikes — Shmyhal

According to a Ukrinform correspondent, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said this during a joint briefing with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

“We understand that 800 drones per night is the level Russia has already demonstrated in practice. Accordingly, we need to have at least 1,000 interceptor drones. This level will be reached. I cannot say what the current level is right now, but very soon this level will be achieved, and the goal is to intercept all Russian drones over the territory of Ukraine,” Shmyhal emphasized.

He noted that “the issue is not producing 1,000 drones,” but rather the number of ground control complexes, radars, and supporting components that use artificial intelligence for guidance.

“In other words, there is a whole interception ecosystem, and it consists not only of interceptor drones — they are only the tip of the iceberg of this large coordinated system that must work… It is a large complex, and its implementation takes some time. But we are moving confidently and clearly, according to schedule, toward this goal set before us,” the minister added.

As Ukrinform reported, the U.K. will manufacture interceptor drones developed in Ukraine.