Ukraine Unleashes 365-Km/H Skazhenyi Interceptor With Plans to Build 5,000 a Month

Ukraine has developed a new high-speed interceptor drone designed to engage Russian unmanned aircraft at altitudes of up to 10,000 meters, with the first units expected to begin combat operations in August.

The interceptor, named Skazhenyi—Ukrainian for “rabid”—was developed by UV Military Cluster in cooperation with air defense personnel operating in the southern city of Odesa, according to Militarnyi on August 3.

“The first drones will be sent on combat missions next week. We are confident in the result because we have nine months of interception experience and understand the tactics of their use well. The project was implemented jointly with the air defense personnel from Odesa,” UV Military Cluster told Militarnyi.

The vertical-takeoff-and-landing drone is available in two configurations intended for different operational scenarios. A wingless version can reach speeds of up to 365 kilometers per hour, while the winged model has a maximum speed of 310 kilometers per hour.

The aircraft has a maximum flight range of 45 kilometers and a tactical operating radius of approximately 25 kilometers. It can remain airborne for up to 30 minutes, according to specifications provided by the manufacturer.

Although its standard operating altitude is listed as 200 meters, the drone is designed to climb as high as 10,000 meters. It can carry a payload weighing up to 0.5 kilograms.

The interceptor can be equipped with digital or analog cameras, as well as thermal-imaging or low-light optical systems, depending on mission requirements.

Its control system uses a frequency-hopping radio signal operating across the 100–3,020 MHz range, while video transmission is supported between 1 and 13 GHz. The aircraft also provides full telemetry during flight.

UV Military Cluster said the interceptor’s internal battery runs through the body of the aircraft, distributing weight more evenly and preventing excessive loading of the forward section.

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The system requires approximately 10 minutes to deploy and eight minutes to pack away. It is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 40 degrees Celsius and remain stable in wind speeds exceeding seven meters per second.

According to Militarnyi, Skazhenyi was developed using experience gained from the earlier Sting, P1-SUN, and Strila interceptor drone projects.

UV Military Cluster said it currently has the capacity to manufacture as many as 5,000 interceptors per month, despite the aircraft only recently entering the market.

For context, Ukrainian defense companies are developing a broader range of automated systems to counter Russian drones. In July, Contra Drone unveiled its Mini Air Defense System, designed to detect, track, and intercept FPV drones and other small aerial targets without direct operator control at ranges of up to 1,000 meters.

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