Ukraine's answer to Russia's new jet-powered drones takes a Shahed

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Published: 2026-09-21T05:46:25.742Z • Permanent link

Ukrainian engineers at the Kyiv Institute of Engineering and Technology have unveiled a new, turbojet-powered drone capable of evading existing Russian air defenses, according to sources within the country's defense establishment. The unnamed drone is reportedly based on the Shahed-131 variant, which has been widely adopted by Russian forces in Ukraine. Details of the new drone's specifications remain scarce, but it is believed to boast a top speed of over 600 km/h, significantly outpacing the Geran-5, a Russian-made anti-tank missile that has proven ineffective against Ukraine's advanced air defenses.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that the new drone has been successfully tested against the Geran-5, with the drone reportedly hitting its target with ease. Insiders suggest that the Ukrainian engineers have managed to adapt the Shahed-131 design to incorporate advanced stealth technology, allowing it to evade radar detection and evade existing air defenses. The development is seen as a significant blow to Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, where the Russian army has struggled to maintain momentum in recent months.

Government officials in Kyiv have declined to comment further on the new drone, citing concerns over the potential impact on national security. However, sources within the defense establishment have revealed that the drone is expected to play a key role in Ukraine's ongoing counter-insurgency efforts against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Details of the drone's deployment schedule remain uncertain, but insiders suggest that it may be operational within the next few weeks.

The emergence of this new, high-speed drone is likely to have significant implications for the global defense industry, particularly for companies that supply air defense systems to countries such as Ukraine and Russia. Companies such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, which supply air defense systems to NATO member states, may be forced to reassess their strategies in response to the new Ukrainian drone. Research communities and policymakers may also be forced to re-evaluate their assumptions about the relative capabilities of Russian and Ukrainian air defenses.

The development of this new drone also raises questions about the future of air defense systems in the context of modern warfare. As drones such as the Shahed-131 become increasingly sophisticated, traditional air defense systems may be rendered obsolete. This could have significant implications for the development of future air defense systems, which may need to incorporate more advanced technologies such as directed energy systems or autonomous detection systems.

The development of this new Ukrainian drone is part of a larger pattern of innovation in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In recent years, Ukraine has made significant investments in the development of UAV technology, with the goal of using these systems to counter Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. The development of this new drone is seen as a key part of this effort, and is likely to be closely watched by policymakers and researchers in the field.