UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Mar. 31 — The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has codified and authorized the Ukrainian-made Shvidun drone for use in the Ukrainian army, said the press service of the Ministry of Defense.

“The first systems are already operational, protecting Ukrainian cities. Shvidun drones have already destroyed over 100 Russian drones,” said the press service.

Shvidun was developed to intercept and down Russian attack drones, such as Shahed-136, Geran, and Gerbera, as well as reconnaissance drones, including Zala, Supercam, and Skat, press service added.

Shvidun weighs eight kilograms (~18 pounds) and has a wingspan of nearly 2 meters. The system of the drone can operate at a height of up to six kilometers (3,7 miles) and reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

It has an operational range of over 70 kilometers (~44 miles), providing air defense coverage over any Ukrainian city.

The Shvidun aerial system has low takeoff and landing speeds despite its high maximum flight speed, allowing operators to land the drone and use it again.

On Mar. 30, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Myhailo Fedorov, said that the first Ukrainian air defense unit formed by a private company as an experimental project of the Ukrainian army began its operations in the Kharkiv oblast.

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