Ukraine says its new planned drone fleet will not only destroy Russian reconnaissance and attack drones, but will also relieve the burden on expensive and increasingly rare air defense missile systems. 

But to launch this “interceptor drone program,” a plan to 1,000 interceptor drones a day, Ukraine needs some $6 billion. 

By some estimates, the Mandiner news portal reports, these high-speed drones can destroy a Russian reconnaissance drone at a fifth of the cost of a missile. Interceptors prevent Russian drones from penetrating deep into Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units can hunt down both smaller reconnaissance drones as well as long-range kamikaze drones, reportedly having destroyed dozens per night on some occasions. 

As noted by the portal, drone technology has evolved rapidly from a supplementary tool to a key weapon on both sides.

Last month, in response to Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian industrial facilities, one German expert warned that without immediate action, Ukraine’s “organized military resistance will collapse.”