Ukraine will begin deploying small, locally produced missiles by the end of October to counter Russian jet attack drones, alongside the expansion of automated turret networks around the capital region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in kyiv on Sunday, October 4.
According to Ukringrom, Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian defense companies have developed several types of specialized and less expensive interceptor missiles designed to neutralize high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with the first combat deployments planned for the second half of the month.
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“The small missile program – I won’t say the name now, there are several types – we will obviously see results in the second half of this month. We hope to see results,” Zelensky said.
Although the missiles are not yet mass-produced, the president said manufacturing could be quickly ramped up once operational performance is confirmed.
Zelensky noted that Ukrainian forces are currently intercepting about 50-60 percent of arriving Shahed turbojet drones, with combat aviation demonstrating the greatest effectiveness against high-speed targets.
“At present, high-quality interception (of jet drones) is about 50 percent, 55 percent, sometimes 60 percent – this is our aviation,” Zelensky said.
“The F-16s are providing very significant assistance and the 20mm ammo is working well.”
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Automated defensive turrets in Kyiv
To strengthen ground interception networks, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian defense units have installed more than 12 automated anti-drone turrets in the capital, and plan to deploy eight additional systems in the surrounding kyiv region.
The automated pods are configured to fire 50 caliber (12.7mm) munitions to destroy incoming errant munitions on terminal approach vectors. Zelensky explained that the facilities are part of a multi-layered combined defense posture necessary to address Moscow’s evolving air assault doctrine.
“The Russians will now focus specifically on jet drones and ballistics,” Zelensky observed. “As for mass strikes similar to those we are currently seeing, I believe they will move towards quality rather than quantity, moving from conventional Shaheds to maximum use of jet variants. »
The technological adaptation comes as Russian forces increasingly pair high-velocity errant munitions with salvos of ballistic missiles to overwhelm mobile air defense teams and deplete their stockpiles of high-end surface-to-air guided missiles.
Bilateral drone agreement
The technical announcements coincided with the formal conclusion of a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Germany to deepen operational cooperation in the fight against drones, allowing German defense manufacturers to integrate Ukrainian combat lessons directly into production joint ventures.
Chancellor Merz stressed that defense cooperation between Berlin and kyiv functions as a reciprocal partnership, noting that German business representatives accompanying his delegation are studying adaptations of the Ukrainian battlefield while establishing joint high-tech industrial facilities.
Merz referred to a foiled Russian-led sabotage plot at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4 as a clear demonstration of why anti-drone technologies are essential for Germany’s internal security.
Addressing Russian rhetoric, Merz said public threats issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry warning foreign diplomats of “mortal danger” in kyiv did not influence his decision to visit the Ukrainian capital.
“Despite the threats that have come to us from Moscow in recent days, I came today. I was accompanied by a government colleague, Federal Minister of Economics Katharina Reiche, a large delegation from my government and a large economic delegation,” Merz said.
“This shows: we will not be intimidated.”
The chancellor added that Russian drone attacks on the capital during her visit highlighted Moscow’s conduct, reaffirming that Berlin’s solidarity remains unwavering during her second visit to kyiv as head of government and fourth overall.
Diplomatic resilience
Merz’s presence in kyiv follows public assurances from EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová, who confirmed that no EU member state embassy was preparing to evacuate the capital despite Moscow’s threats and strikes on infrastructure.
Mathernová confirmed regular coordination with the diplomatic missions of the 25 EU member states based in Kyiv, saying that the EU delegation and the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) to Ukraine remain fully operational.
The ambassador characterized Moscow’s incessant statements as an attempt to compensate for military setbacks on the battlefield, echoing statements by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry that standard diplomatic protocols require prior notification and that no resettlement requests have been received.
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