Ukraine was caught off guard by Russia's rapid deployment of high-speed jet drones, a Ukrainian lawmaker has admitted. Serhiy Rahmanin, a Member of Parliament for the Voice party, said defence forces had prepared for uncrewed aerial vehicles flying at lower speeds and lower altitudes.
Speaking on Radio NV, Rahmanin explained that Russia's new Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet drones enter Ukrainian air defence range above seven kilometres. Ukraine's short-range air defence had effectively shot down conventional drones at altitudes up to five kilometres.
The new drones fly at speeds of 450 to 600 kilometres per hour, leaving Ukrainian interceptors unable to catch them. Rahmanin warned that shooting them down with other systems is either very expensive or limited by a shortage of missiles.
Rahmanin serves in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, representing the Holos political party. Radio NV is a news station in Kyiv broadcasting coverage of national security.
Cost and production challenges
Developing an effective counter-drone system depends on industrial scale rather than design, according to the lawmaker. Rahmanin said the main challenge is manufacturing jet interceptors in volume so they cost less than their targets.
Certified interceptors cost between 45,000 and 100,000 dollars, which Rahmanin called a very expensive undertaking. He warned that while not everything in Ukraine will be destroyed, a significant portion will be, depending on partner aid.
Short-range air defence networks rely on mobile guns and low-cost interceptors for low-altitude threats. Engaging targets above seven kilometres requires sophisticated missile batteries that are far more costly to fire.
Industrial capacity and supply lines
Industrial capacity presents another hurdle. Russia operates at least two large factories producing jet engines, allowing Moscow to expand output. Ukraine can produce drone jet engines, but its smaller facilities are harder to scale up.
Russia also benefits from an extensive supply channel delivering large drone shipments from China. Rahmanin added that Ukraine lacks such an unlimited supply channel.
Winter campaign targets
The emergence of jet drones comes as Russia attempts to paralyze Kyiv before winter. The Economist previously reported that Moscow is planning heavy strikes, sabotage, and political chaos.
According to two senior Ukrainian officials cited by the publication, the campaign is expected to peak in November. Targets include energy and water supplies, data centres, supermarkets, and urban infrastructure.
