Air defense units of Russia’s Zapad group of forces have begun using new Malysh fixed-wing drones to intercept Ukrainian strike UAVs. Troops from the unmanned systems forces have already mastered the aircraft and are deploying them in the special military operation zone, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The new UAVs were supplied to counter-drone crews from an anti-aircraft missile brigade within the group. Their primary role is to engage enemy strike drones directly.

The Malysh uses a fixed-wing design that allows it to reach high speeds and pursue targets over considerable distances. According to the ministry, differences in altitude do not pose a serious obstacle during interception.

The drone is also designed for relatively simple operation. It does not require complex maintenance, while preparing the aircraft for launch involves comparatively little effort.

Earlier, new jet-powered versions of Russia’s Geran drone family were reported to have entered service. Some modifications can reach speeds of up to 600 km/h.

Experts assess that speed as a serious challenge for Ukrainian air defenses, since conventional interception systems face greater difficulty catching such fast-moving targets.