Ukraine Develops Nika Missile to Counter Russian Jet-Powered Drones
Ukraine is developing a new small missile, Nika, now entering testing, to counter Russian jet-powered Shahed drones that increasingly bypass existing defenses. The shift to jet-powered drones represents a tactical evolution by Russia, and Ukraine's response is a defensive adaptation. The missile's effectiveness remains unproven, but it signals an ongoing arms race in drone countermeasures.
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Ukraine Enhances Counter-Drone Systems with AI Turrets and New Missiles
Ukraine has significantly upgraded its counter-drone capabilities, deploying newly installed automatic, AI-controlled gun turrets that have reportedly downed Russian jet-powered drones for the first time, particularly near Kyiv. Concurrently, Ukraine is developing the Nika missile to specifically target these more advanced Russian drones, indicating an adaptive response to evolving threats. Russia, in turn, is reportedly experimenting with WWII-style barrage balloons as a counter-drone measure, reflecting an ongoing arms race in drone warfare.