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Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on October 22 that its forces had used the new F-1 interceptor drone in combat for the first time, claiming it destroyed more than 20 Ukrainian attack drones over four days.
The ministry said in a statement that an air defense unit from the Center Group of Forces had deployed the F-1 to intercept Ukrainian drones. Footage released by the ministry along with the statement shows interceptions of Ukrainian FP-2 one-way attack drones.
“This F-1 drone, which has been put into service with the air defense missile brigade’s anti-UAV unit, has demonstrated high effectiveness in destroying high-speed targets. Over four days of combat use, the crews destroyed more than 20 enemy attack drones of various types, including the PD-2, Rubaka, and Bliskavka,” the ministry said.
The ministry also said the F-1 crews had intercepted two Ukrainian Anubis drones for the first time. The Anubis is a clone of Iran’s Shahed-136.
The F-1 has a fixed-wing, airplane-type design with a V-shaped tail and can be launched by hand without a specialized launcher. Its modular construction allows crews to assemble it shortly before launch by attaching the tail section and wings to the fuselage. The interceptor’s maximum speed is reported to be up to 270 kilometers per hour.
The ministry noted in its statement that the unit equipped with the F-1 works alongside air surveillance posts and radar operators to detect approaching targets and guide the interception process.
Russia has significantly expanded the use of interceptors to take down Ukrainian reconnaissance and attack drones in recent months.
Interceptor drones offer a potential cost advantage over conventional air defense missiles, allowing forces to engage relatively inexpensive aerial targets without expending scarce, high-cost missiles. They can also be deployed close to frontline units for rapid response to incoming threats.
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