WSJ: Ukraine struggles to intercept new Russian 'Shahed' drones
Ukraine has found it significantly more difficult to intercept new Russian attack drones of the "Shahed" type with jet engines. They are about three times faster than previous versions and can evade Ukrainian interceptor drones, which are effective against conventional drones.
The Wall Street Journal writes about this, citing Ukrainian officials and specialists who examined the wreckage of new Russian drones.
Russia began actively using modified "Shahed" drones with turbojet engines in 2026. While previous versions had propeller engines, the new aircraft have characteristics closer to cruise missiles.
According to WSJ, jet "Shahed" drones can reach speeds of about 300 miles per hour, or about 480 km/h. This is about three times faster than older modifications.
Ukrainian air defense forces are usually able to destroy more than 90% of traditional attack drones that Russia launches at Ukraine. Relatively cheap interceptor drones play a significant role in this.
However, against the new jet drones this system works much worse. High speed allows them to break away from many Ukrainian interceptor drones.
As a result, Ukraine has to use combat aircraft or scarce anti-aircraft missiles more often to destroy such targets, making repelling massive attacks significantly more expensive.
Russia combines "Shahed" with missiles
Russia's tactic of simultaneously employing different types of air attack weapons creates an additional problem. Russia can launch large numbers of "Shahed" drones together with ballistic and cruise missiles, attempting to overload the Ukrainian air defense system.
At the same time, drones are much cheaper than missiles and can be used in much larger quantities. This combination forces Ukraine to expend a limited supply of costly interception weapons while simultaneously defending against more dangerous missile targets.
Jet drones have already been used by Russia during massive attacks on Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky separately drew attention to the enemy's use of "Shahed" jet drones after one of the major strikes on the capital in early July.
Chinese engines found in new drones
According to Ukrainian specialists quoted by WSJ, creation of new modifications became possible thanks to component supplies from China. Small turbojet engines of Chinese manufacture were found in the examined aircraft.
Ukrainian authorities link their production to Telefly Telecommunications Equipment from Shenzhen. The company produces, among other things, a line of micro turbojet engines that can be used in unmanned systems.
After Ukraine reported discovery of Telefly engines in Russian drones, information about such products disappeared from the English version of the company's website, but remained available on some other language versions and seller platforms.
Telefly did not respond to WSJ's request for comment. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not comment on specific supplies. Beijing has previously stated that it strictly controls exports of dual-use products.
