https://sputniknews.in/20261002/zelensky-scrambles-as-interceptor-drone-engine-stocks-run-dry-reports-12475803.html
Zelensky Scrambles as Interceptor Drone Engine Stocks Run Dry: Reports
Zelensky Scrambles as Interceptor Drone Engine Stocks Run Dry: Reports
Sputnik India
Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine is facing difficulties with the production of drones to intercept forefront Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)... 02.10.2026, Sputnik India
2026-10-02T14:10+0530
2026-10-02T14:10+0530
2026-10-02T15:36+0530
volodymyr zelensky
ukraine
russia
europe
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Ukraine imports a lot of engines and produces some itself, but it is still not enough, Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview.In August, Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian defense minister, acknowledged that Ukraine trails behind Russia in the drone race and cannot develop an interceptor to fight against jet-powered drones.Zelensky also said he is dissatisfied that about half of the F-16 fighter jets at the disposal of the Ukrainian armed forces spend too much time undergoing repairs and maintenance in Europe.Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a source, that Ukraine could render all its F-16 fighter jets inoperable by the end of the year. Ukraine's failure to quickly maintain the F-16 is turning into an air defense crisis, retired US Air Force officer David Deptula said. For instance, in Belgium, repairs to the fighter jets take up to 40 weeks, the report added.
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volodymyr zelensky, ukraine, russia, europe
volodymyr zelensky, ukraine, russia, europe
Zelensky Scrambles as Interceptor Drone Engine Stocks Run Dry: Reports
14:10 02.10.2026 (Updated: 15:36 02.10.2026) Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine is facing difficulties with the production of drones to intercept forefront Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), particularly due to a shortage of engines, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Friday.
Ukraine imports a lot of engines and produces some itself, but it is still not enough, Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview.
In August, Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian defense minister, acknowledged that Ukraine trails behind Russia in the drone race and cannot develop an interceptor to fight against jet-powered drones.
Zelensky also said he is dissatisfied that about half of the F-16 fighter jets at the disposal of the Ukrainian armed forces spend too much time undergoing repairs and maintenance in Europe.
Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a source, that Ukraine could render all its F-16 fighter jets inoperable by the end of the year. Ukraine's failure to quickly maintain the F-16 is turning into an air defense crisis, retired US Air Force officer David Deptula said. For instance, in Belgium, repairs to the fighter jets take up to 40 weeks, the report added.
