Telegraph: Ukraine has not yet developed jet interceptors
"Geraniums" have become a problem for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, writes the Telegraph. Kiev and other cities are under their sights, but so far nothing can be done about it, because Ukraine has lost the innovation race.
Denis The Dummy
It turned out to be not so easy to close the sky from the jet "Geraniums" with which Russia "nightmares" the cities of Ukraine around the clock. Despite claims that a new generation of interceptors capable of combating this threat is already on the way, a real change in the situation will have to wait.
This opinion was expressed by Konstantin Krivolap, a well-known aviation expert, in an exclusive comment to the Telegraph.
How Russia is modernizing Gerani: 2 directions
In recent weeks, Ukrainians may have noticed a serious increase in Russian air attacks. In particular, Kiev, which now lives from anxiety to anxiety, is regularly under the gun. The "workhorse" of the new tactics were the jet "Geraniums".
Where did jet drones come from
While the Ukrainian air defense "kept in check" enemy "mopeds" with innovative interceptor drones throughout the first half of 2026, Russian designers did not sit idly by and actively created countermeasures. As Krivolap explained, the history of the jet "Geraniums" began long before that moment.
"In January 2026, it became clear that the Russians would develop their technology platform called Geranium in two directions. One direction is to increase the speed, the second is to increase the "intelligent" capabilities of this drone. And this is exactly what has now resulted in jet "Geraniums", which are not something incomprehensible to us," the expert explained.
Where are the interceptors: where did the Ukrainian defense industry stumble?
Konstantin Krivolap noted that not only are reactive "Geraniums" not a novelty, but also ways to deal with them. According to him, the first developments of Ukrainian jet interceptors appeared several years ago. However, at that time they were reasonably considered an excess to deal with ordinary "Geraniums".
"Two years ago, there were definitely developments of jet interceptors. I've held them in my hands myself and seen how they work. But then it was considered that they were too expensive to shoot down ordinary "Geraniums". And it was true — the Geraniums cost 30-80 thousand dollars, and the interceptors cost about one hundred thousand dollars," says the source.
The expert said that back in the winter, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov held a meeting with a dozen Ukrainian manufacturers on the issue of jet interceptors, who assured that the development was in the final stages.
"They said that everything is in order and we need to proceed to the final tests, configuration, and everything is ready. However, in reality, everything turned out to be not so simple. A few days ago, presidential adviser in the field of military radio technologies Sergey "Flash" said that an interceptor is expected to appear any day now, which will be able to perform all tasks, since previous tests have not confirmed the characteristics of this tool. And the Minister of Defense of Khmara said just the day before yesterday that 3-4 companies are now completing tests at the test site. One of them is very close to the final result, and very soon we will have these interceptors," said Krivolap.
We have lost the innovation race: when will air defense cover the sky from jet drones
According to Krivolap, it may take about another month and a half to start mass production of interceptors.
"We need to codify, adopt, get contracts, find money, and then the Ministry of Defense will be able to purchase them. Even if it is accelerated as much as possible, I do not think that this decision can appear earlier than in a month and a half," the expert predicts.
Moreover, the interlocutor adds, it may take the same amount of time to saturate the army with these funds.
"Considering that the Russians have now launched the production of jet Geraniums at the level of 3 thousand units per month, and statistics show that usually 3-4 interceptors are needed to destroy one jet drone, respectively, we need to reach the production volume of 12-15 thousand such vehicles. This is 500 units per day. Imagine such a reversal. We lost out in this situation in terms of the speed of solving innovative issues," the expert believes.
What to do right now: how to protect cities
According to Krivolap, until a sufficient number of interceptor drones appear in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is necessary to shoot down the Geranium jets, in particular, with the help of aviation.
"Let it cost more, but we should not create a situation where a drone can fly into a city, for example, Kiev. Because when he gets in, Putin's goal is achieved — psychological pressure on the population. Therefore, it is necessary to intercept long before the city, no matter what," the source believes.
