Colonel Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, reported on July 31, "Approximately 8 jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were observed in the northern direction on 30/7. It is possible that today they were also launched along with decoy aircraft as usual.".

Ignat explained that these Russian jet-powered UAVs have a radar signature similar to cruise missiles, with speeds reaching over 500 km/h. "Not all weapons in Ukraine's inventory can intercept such targets", he added.

Ignat in a photo posted on 9/7. Photo: *Army Inform*

The official acknowledged that Russia's jet-powered UAVs are becoming a new threat to Ukraine. However, he noted that these attacks are isolated incidents and the Russian military hasn't widely deployed these aircraft.

Militarnyi, the online portal of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, also acknowledged that these Russian jet-powered UAVs are nearly impossible to shoot down with mobile air defense units equipped with infantry weapons and autocannons, or electric-powered interceptor drones.

"Even modern air defense systems will face many challenges with this new type of UAV. The shortened reaction time makes interception efforts more difficult, especially when they are deployed in large numbers and as part of a multi-layered attack", commented Tyler Rogoway, editor of the American military website *War Zone*.

The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported on 30/7 that Russia had deployed 78 long-range suicide drones, including 8 jet-powered ones, and decoys to attack Ukraine. Ukrainian officials admitted that 27 aircraft penetrated air defenses and hit 7 locations, but it's unclear how many of these were jet-powered.

AMK Mapping, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence data on the conflict, believes Russia used the Geran-3 jet-powered UAV, a domestic version based on the Iranian Shahed-238 design.

Variants of the Shahed-238 UAV at the 2023 unveiling ceremony. Photo: *War Zone*

This UAV model can carry a warhead weighing up to 300 kg, significantly larger than the 50-90 kg of the Geran-2 version that Russia typically uses for long-range attacks against Ukraine. The jet engine also allows it to reach speeds of up to 400 km/h, compared to 185 km/h for the Geran-2.

However, observers have expressed doubts about Russia's ability to mass-produce this type of UAV, as the jet engine makes the manufacturing process more complex and expensive.

Pham Giang (*RBC Ukraine, War Zone*)