Ukraine confirms first interceptor drone kills of Russian jet-powered Shaheds

Ukraine has officially confirmed the first test deployments of domestically produced interceptor drones against Russian jet-powered drones. Manufacturer Wild Hornets released footage of successful interceptions of Geran-4 drones and Geran-5 missiles, with around ten enemy targets destroyed in recent days. The company began developing the new interceptor in early 2026, stating it is a fundamentally new product rather than an upgrade. Wild Hornets highlighted speed as the main challenge in intercepting jet drones and plans to integrate AI-assisted systems to help operators, though fully automatic interception remains unproven. Wild Hornets is prioritizing a cheap, mass-produced, and easy-to-use solution against jet-powered Shaheds. The company aims to scale up mass production within a month after completing combat tests, while also working on countering future threats like faster jet missiles.