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The SBS shot down a 'Shahed' for the first time from an unmanned surface platform

The SBS shot down a 'Shahed' for the first time from an unmanned surface platform

19 April 2026, 13:00

The SBS shot down a 'Shahed' for the first time from an unmanned surface platform — Interceptor drone. Photo courtesy of the developers

Operators from the Unmanned Surface Vehicle Division of the 412th Nemesis Brigade successfully intercepted an enemy Shahed-type strike UAV in the maritime operational zone

This was reported by the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This is the first recorded instance in the world where an aerial target has been destroyed by an interceptor drone launched from a maritime unmanned aerial vehicle.

A new level of integration

The use of surface vessels to deploy aerial interceptor drones marks a new chapter in the history of air defence:

An additional layer of defence: enemy drones can now be destroyed over the sea, preventing them from approaching coastal cities.
Technological breakthrough: The SBS has integrated maritime and aerial unmanned capabilities into a single system, expanding the scope for countering threats.
Resource savings: using drones to intercept Shaheds allows expensive anti-aircraft missiles to be reserved for more complex targets.

UAS: One step ahead

The Nemesis unit, part of the Unmanned Systems Forces, continues to cement its reputation as one of the most effective. The creation of such hybrid defence systems marks a new stage in the development of the Ukrainian army.

As the SBS press service emphasises, such operations allow Ukrainian defenders to stay one step ahead of the enemy and create a security shield where this previously seemed impossible.

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