Russia fits jet engines to BM-35 drones to outrun Ukraine's interceptors
Russia has started equipping its BM-35 attack drones with jet engines, enabling speeds up to 350 km/h to evade Ukrainian air defense interceptors, according to adviser Serhii Beskrestnov.
Russia has begun fitting jet engines to its BM-35 attack drones in an effort to outrun Ukraine's air defense interceptors, according to Ukrainian adviser Serhii Beskrestnov.
Speed as a defense strategy
With the new engine modification, the BM-35 can now reach speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. This increase in speed makes the drone significantly harder to intercept using Ukraine's existing air defense systems, which are calibrated to counter slower targets.
The same approach already used with Shahed drones
Beskrestnov notes that this move mirrors a step Russia already took with its Shahed-type drones, which were similarly fitted with jet engines to boost their speed and complicate interception efforts. It appears Russia is now extending this approach to other types within its drone arsenal, including the BM-35.
The trend suggests Russia is systematically searching for ways to bypass Ukraine's air defense network, which has recently become increasingly effective against slower drones. By equipping drones with jet propulsion, Russia is able to significantly cut the reaction time available to Ukrainian interceptor operators.
