Zelensky Admits Shortage of Interceptor Drone Engines

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that his country faces difficulties in manufacturing drones designed to intercept advanced Russian unmanned aircraft, primarily due to an engine shortage. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelensky stated that the race to counter Russian drones encounters significant obstacles, prominently the lack of engines needed for Ukrainian interceptor drones. The Ukrainian president explained that Kyiv imports a large number of engines while producing some locally, stressing that these supplies remain insufficient to meet the required demand. This follows earlier statements made in August by Serhiy Beskrestnov, adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister, who conceded that Kyiv lags behind Russia in the drone race and has not yet developed an interceptor drone to counter jet-powered drones.