Ukraine’s Sky Sentinel Turrets Are Racking Up Kills Over Kyiv—Even Against Jet-Powered Geran-5s and Banderols

Automated air-defense turrets have destroyed dozens of Russian drones over Kyiv in the past month alone, including fast jet-powered Geran-5 and Banderol UAVs, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported on October 29.

The Defense Ministry and Ukraine’s Brave1 defense innovation cluster have been developing and integrating automated gun systems into the country’s air-defense network, giving Kyiv another relatively low-cost layer for intercepting Russian aerial threats.

Brave1 began working on automated turret technology in 2024. Since then, the systems have moved beyond the development stage and are now operated by the Ukrainian Air Force.

Among the Russian targets already destroyed by the turrets are Banderol and Geran-5 jet-powered drones—a growing threat as Moscow introduces faster UAVs capable of placing greater pressure on conventional mobile fire groups and interceptor drones.

According to the Defense Ministry, automated turrets deployed as part of Ukraine’s private air-defense initiative have already destroyed more than 60 aerial targets.

“This is the result of systematic work that proves that the latest Ukrainian developments are capable of effectively countering aerial threats both on the front line and over cities, protecting critical infrastructure,” the ministry said.

The private air-defense initiative allows Ukrainian companies to establish additional protection for employees, industrial facilities, and energy infrastructure rather than relying solely on state-operated air-defense units.

The United States is supplying Ukraine with only 12 Patriot air-defense interceptor missiles per month—roughly four times fewer than under former President Joe Biden—while withholding approval for additional weapons Kyiv has already paid for as Russia intensifies attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Previously, reports emerged that Ukraine’s largest express-delivery company has built its own private air-defense capability—and says it has already shot down Russian Shahed attack drones.

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