In Kyiv, automatic turrets begin to be installed to shoot down Russian jet drones
Ukraine is deploying a new multi-layered defense system for the capital and strategic facilities against the latest Russian drones. While the Russian President claims there is no "antidote," Kyiv is testing automated combat modules, interceptor drones, and modernizing its own missile program.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a new defense echelon during a joint press conference with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The main topic was countering jet drones, which the Russian army has begun to actively use in recent months. The speed of such devices is 3-4 times higher than that of conventional "Shahed" type drones, making their destruction by mobile fire groups (using machine guns and searchlights) practically impossible.
In late September, Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine currently had no defense against Russian jet drones. Kyiv's response was a large-scale air defense modernization program, which includes three directions.
Automatic Turrets and Interceptor Drones
The first practical step was the installation of automated combat modules (turrets). According to Zelenskyy, the program is just beginning to develop normally, but more than 12 such systems have already been deployed in the capital.
As the publication "Ukrainska Pravda" clarifies, this refers to modern automatic turrets equipped with .50 caliber machine guns. In the near future, at least eight more such machines are planned to be installed in the Kyiv region, after which dozens of modules will appear at various strategic objects across the country.
The second element of defense will be the joint production with Germany of long-range "Bars" interceptor drones, which, by their characteristics, approach missiles.
In his speech, Zelenskyy noted that these particular devices showed the highest percentage of effectiveness during tests. Currently, they shoot down about 30% of targets, but this indicator is constantly growing. Kyiv expects the delivery of 2,000 such devices, which are produced jointly with German partners. The third stage will be a program of so-called "small missiles," the first practical results of which are expected in the second half of October.
Escalation and Exchange of Strikes on Civilian Infrastructure
The discussion of new defense means took place against the backdrop of an unprecedented escalation of the conflict. On the morning of October 4, Russian forces once again attacked the Northern Bridge in Kyiv. Zelenskyy sharply condemned this tactic, recalling previous strikes on data centers, mobile communication infrastructure, post offices, and logistics centers ("Nova Poshta", "Ukrposhta").
The President of Ukraine openly acknowledged that Kyiv responds symmetrically to such actions, mentioning the recent strike on Russian Wildberries marketplace warehouses.
"There is an escalation from the Russians. Now they are hitting bridges. Do they really think we won't respond? They are hitting data centers. All this is about people. This is definitely not some military infrastructure. How does Putin do this? I am genuinely surprised by this brutal desire to escalate every day. He really wants it. This is a response to all those who believe that one just needs to ask Putin – and he will definitely end the war. It simply won't happen," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Despite the harsh rhetoric and exchange of strikes, Ukraine leaves room for diplomacy. During the press conference, Zelenskyy confirmed that he had held negotiations with an American negotiation group the day before. Washington proposed organizing a tripartite meeting between Ukraine and Russia at a technical level by the end of October in the United Arab Emirates or another neutral country. The Ukrainian side has already given official consent and is now awaiting a response from the Russian leadership.
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