When Ukraine’s air force released its latest figures on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, it described a rapid change in the aerial campaign it faces: Russia had sent close to 3,500 jet-powered drones against Ukraine in September, according to spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat.
The reported rise began with 350 jet-powered drones in June. It reached 1,500 in July, then 2,850 in August.
Ukraine’s account put the September total at approximately 3,500, ten times the June rate. An estimated 1,600 were launched during the final week of September.
The pace matters because jet-powered drones fly faster than propeller-driven models and are harder to shoot down. Ihnat said they present Ukrainian air defences with more difficult targets than conventional attack drones.
Russia deploys 50 jet-powered drones per night and may send 30 during the day, according to Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat.
Russia fired more than two hundred drones at Ukraine overnight into Monday, Ukraine’s air force said. Almost a quarter were the faster jet-powered models, which the force said are harder to intercept.
The jet-powered drones, along with so-called ‘banderole’ drones, are similar to cruise missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. Weapons conventionally used against ‘shahids’ may therefore be less effective against them.
Ukraine has observed a decrease in the intensity of jet-powered drone use in October. Russia is nevertheless increasing production of its new jet drones and continues to expand their use, adding strain to Ukraine’s air-defence system.
A dozen AI-guided machine-gun turrets already ring Kyiv. Ukraine is also considering F-16s and AI gun turrets as part of its response.
Ihnat said Ukraine needs new air-defence systems that can intercept jet-powered drones more effectively. Ignat said innovative solutions developed by the defence industry, military and political leadership, working with partners, could help address the problem.
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