President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on September 15, 2026, that Ukraine has successfully tested a domestically developed interceptor intended to counter jet-powered Shahed attack drones, according to the presidency's official English-language transcript. He did not identify the weapon or its manufacturer.
"But some technical aspects still need to be refined. It will take some more time," he said. He did not specify whether the interceptor is a drone or missile, how it engages its target, or when it could enter service, and provided no performance figures or production targets.
Reuters reported that Ukraine's military said it had downed 187 airborne targets overnight. Zelensky put the proportion of Russian drones intercepted that night at 93%, while saying the country needed to do more to protect its citizens.
Zelensky disclosed only one successful engagement involving the new system. The figures describe Ukraine's overall air defense effort.
