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Russia Claims Its New Jet-Powered Drones Are Too Fast to Catch, but Ukraine Proves Otherwise
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Russian forces have begun deploying new Shahed-like attack drones, designated BM-35 and BM-70, against Ukraine, although Ukrainian interceptor drones have reportedly demonstrated their ability to counter the emerging aerial threats.
The announcement was made by Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Brigade “Skelya” and the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade on November 2.
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The brigade reported on November 2 that Russian forces had equipped BM-35 attack drones with jet engines to increase their speed and improve their ability to strike Ukrainian transport, military equipment, and supply routes.
“The Russians equipped BM-35 attack drones with jet engines to target our logistics: transport, equipment, and supply routes. They also claimed that Ukrainian interceptor drones would be unable to catch these targets,” the brigade stated.
According to the Ukrainian military, the drones can reach speeds exceeding 350 kilometers per hour, while their low-altitude flight profiles and maneuverability make interception considerably more difficult.
Meanwhile, RBC-Ukraine noted that the technical specifications of the jet-powered BM-70 variant remain unconfirmed. The standard version, however, features a piston engine and propeller, reaches speeds of 200–220 kilometers per hour, and can carry a payload of up to 15 kilograms.
The introduction of these drones comes amid Russia’s continued large-scale aerial campaign against Ukraine, which has placed sustained pressure on the country’s air defense network.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Ukrainian air defense forces neutralized 4,859 Russian Shahed-type drones during October 2026, as Moscow continued targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
In a November 2 statement, the General Staff reported that Russian forces had launched a total of 6,473 Shahed-131/136 and Shahed-238 drones throughout the month. These unmanned aerial vehicles are classified under the Geran-1/2/3/4/5 designations in Russia.
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