Ukrainian border guards have intercepted a Russian ZALA Z-20 reconnaissance drone at an altitude of 6,858 meters, setting a new record for Ukrainian units operating in the area, the State Border Guard Service announced on Facebook.
The service said Russian forces deliberately launch the ZALA Z-20 at high altitudes hoping to keep the drones beyond reach. STING operators from the 105th Border Detachment used their own drone to bring the target down.
The State Border Guard Service said this was the highest confirmed interception of an enemy drone among Ukrainian units working that section of the front. It added that while the record was welcome, it was more satisfying to see Ukrainian technology and operator skill pushing the limit higher each day.
Ukraine’s defense forces also previously downed Russian AI-equipped Molniya drones for the first time in late June, using General Chereshnya AIR and General Chereshnya Bullet interceptor drones during an attack in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The military said the Molniya drones are difficult to destroy because they fly autonomously and are hard to detect.
