Ukraine has deployed more than 12 automated gun turrets in Kyiv to counter Russian jet-powered drones, with another eight systems set to be installed across the Kyiv region as Russia increasingly uses faster UAVs in attacks on the country.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the deployment on October 4 during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv.
Ukrainian engineers have built a homegrown AI-powered defense system, Sky Sentinel, to fight back against the Russian aerial threat.
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“We have started installing turrets. More than 12 have already been installed in the capital, and now another eight ‘fifties’ will additionally be installed in the Kyiv region,” Zelenskyy said. The systems are automated combat modules designed for .50-caliber machine guns.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is developing a combined approach to air defense as Russia adjusts its strike tactics and increases the use of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles alongside conventional Shahed-type UAVs.
According to the Ukrainian president, Ukrainian forces currently intercept approximately 85% to 92% of conventional Shahed-type drones. The interception rate for jet-powered UAVs is lower, at roughly 50% to 70%.
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Aircraft are also being used against the faster drones, including Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is currently working to secure additional weapons suitable for those interception missions.
Jet-powered drones pose a different challenge from propeller-driven Shahed-type UAVs because of their higher speed, reducing the time available for detection, tracking, and engagement.
The announcement came during Merz’s visit to Kyiv on October 4. During the visit, Germany also announced a new support package for Ukraine worth more than €1.3 billion, including funding for weapons and energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
