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Ukraine will begin deploying domestically produced small missiles by late October to counter Russian jet-powered strike drones, alongside expanding networks of automated gun turrets around the capital region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Sunday, Oct. 4.
According to Ukringrom, Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian defense enterprises have developed several types of specialized, lower-cost interceptor missiles engineered to neutralize high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with initial combat deployments anticipated during the second half of the month.
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“The small missile program – I will not state the name now, there are several types – we will evidently see results in the second half of this month. We expect to see results,” Zelensky said.
While the missiles are not yet in serial mass production, the president stated that manufacturing can be scaled up rapidly once operational performance is confirmed.
Zelensky noted that Ukrainian forces currently intercept roughly 50 to 60 percent of incoming turbojet Shahed drones, with combat aviation demonstrating the highest efficacy against high-velocity targets.
“Right now, high-quality interception of [jet UAVs] is about 50 percent, 55 percent, sometimes 60 percent – that is our aviation,” Zelensky said.
“F-16s are helping very significantly, and 20mm ammunition is working well.”
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Automated defensive turrets in Kyiv
To reinforce ground-level interception networks, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian defense units have installed more than 12 automated counter-drone turrets across the capital, with plans to deploy eight additional systems in the surrounding Kyiv region.
The automated modules are configured to fire 50-caliber (12.7mm) ammunition to destroy incoming loitering munitions on terminal approach vectors. Zelensky explained that the installations form part of a layered, combined defense posture required to address Moscow’s evolving air assault doctrine.
“The Russians will now focus precisely on jet-powered drones and ballistics,” Zelensky observed. “Regarding mass strikes similar to what we are seeing now, I believe they will move toward quality rather than quantity, transitioning from conventional Shaheds to maximum utilization of jet variants.”
The technological adaptation arrives as Russian forces have increasingly paired high-speed loitering munitions with ballistic missile salvos to overwhelm mobile air defense fire teams and deplete inventories of high-end surface-to-air guided missiles.
Bilateral drone agreement
The technical announcements coincided with the formal conclusion of a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Germany to deepen operational cooperation in counter-drone warfare, enabling German defense manufacturers to integrate Ukrainian combat lessons directly into joint production ventures.
Chancellor Merz emphasized that defense cooperation between Berlin and Kyiv functions as a reciprocal partnership, noting that German corporate representatives accompanying his delegation are studying Ukrainian battlefield adaptations while establishing joint high-tech industrial facilities.
Merz referenced a thwarted Russian-directed sabotage plot at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4 as a clear demonstration of why counter-drone technologies are critical for Germany’s own domestic security.
Addressing Russian rhetoric, Merz stated that public threats issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warning foreign diplomats of “mortal danger” in Kyiv did not influence his decision to visit the Ukrainian capital.
“Despite the threats that reached us from Moscow in recent days, I came today. Together with me came a colleague from the government, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katharina Reiche, a large delegation from my government, and a major economic delegation,” Merz said.
“This shows: we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated.”
The chancellor added that ongoing Russian drone attacks on the capital during his visit underscored Moscow’s conduct, reaffirming that Berlin’s solidarity remains steadfast on his second visit to Kyiv as head of government and fourth overall.
Diplomatic resilience
Merz’s presence in Kyiv follows public assurances from EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová, who confirmed that no EU member state embassy is preparing to evacuate the capital despite Moscow’s threats and infrastructure strikes.
Mathernová confirmed regular coordination with the diplomatic missions of 25 EU member states based in Kyiv, stating that both the EU Delegation and the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine remain fully operational.
The ambassador characterized Moscow’s escalatory statements as an attempt to compensate for military setbacks on the battlefield, echoing statements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that standard diplomatic protocols mandate prior notification and that zero relocation requests have been received.
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