Russian jet-powered drones are becoming an increasingly serious challenge for Ukraine’s air defenses, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

The newspaper’s observers said the drones approach target areas at an altitude of about five kilometers before diving sharply. At that height, mobile fire teams using pickup trucks and machine guns are largely unable to engage them effectively.

FAZ noted that Kiev is therefore forced to rely on expensive ground-based air defense systems or fighter aircraft to intercept the drones. Fighters can use onboard cannons to reduce costs, but the outlet said this does not fully solve the problem.

Another major constraint is the shortage of jet engines, most of which Ukraine has to purchase from abroad. Funding problems add further pressure, with Kiev already lacking enough money to cover its defense spending.

FAZ also recalled that in August, Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Sergey Beskrestnov acknowledged that Ukraine was lagging behind Russia in the «drone race». He said the country had still failed to develop an interceptor capable of effectively countering jet-powered drones.

In recent days, Russian forces also struck Kiev’s Southern and Northern bridges, which the Ukrainian military uses to move weapons toward the front. After the attacks, authorities imposed traffic restrictions in the city, causing serious transportation problems.