Ukraine Speeding Up Production of Air Defenses Against Jet-Powered Shaheds – Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine is accelerating production of air defense systems after testing interceptors against Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones. At a Stavka meeting, authorities also reviewed Russia's technological plans for 2027 and adopted measures to protect data centers critical to communications.
In brief: President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine is accelerating production of air defense systems after testing interceptors against Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones. At a Stavka meeting, authorities also reviewed Russia's technological plans for 2027 and adopted measures to protect data centers critical to communications.
Ukraine is accelerating production of air defense systems capable of countering Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones, which are significantly harder to intercept due to their ability to reach speeds of up to 400-600 kilometers per hour (250-370 miles per hour).
President Volodymyr Zelensky made the announcement on Friday, Sept. 25, after chairing a meeting of Stavka.
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“In line with these [Russian] threats, we are adjusting our countermeasures,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky officially formed Stavka on Feb. 24, 2022 – the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion – by signing a decree No. 72/2022 “On the Formation of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.”
It brings together the country’s top military commanders, intelligence and security chiefs, alongside key government ministers to make strategic decisions regarding the war.
During the meeting, officials reviewed test results, the interception rates achieved and the experience of the units carrying out the intercepts.
According to Zelensky, Stavka also made new decisions on setting up production lines in Ukraine for various types of jet engines. He, however, did not specify which air defense had been selected nor did he disclose the interception rates from the tests.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) provided Zelensky with a detailed briefing on Russia’s “technological plans” for 2027.
The report covered Moscow’s production capacity, the weapons systems it is counting on, as well as the schemes it uses to bypass Western sanctions and bring components into the country.
On Tuesday, the EU agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for three years rather than the usual six to twelve months, under the compromise of removing two Russian oligarchs from the blacklist – Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman – both closely linked to Moscow’s war effort and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Latvia and Estonia responded by imposing national sanctions on both men, while the UK criticized the EU’s move and said it intends to keep their sanctions .
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues preparing for its fifth winter of Russia’s strikes on its critical infrastructure, including the power grid and water supplies, by securing Patriot interceptors from its Western allies.
Earlier on Friday, Zelensky said US President Donald Trump made a “final decision” to grant Ukraine licenses for domestic Patriot production.
Stavka also adopted additional measures to protect data centers and other facilities essential to communications. The aim is to keep them running without interruption, as Russia had increased its campaign on the communications infrastructure , causing disrupted internet access nationwide.
“These decisions must be fully implemented at all levels, and this is the personal responsibility of government officials and heads of the security services,” Zelensky said.
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