---
title: "Ukraine develops new small Nika missile to shoot down jet drones, says Zelenskyy"
description: "Ukraine has created a new small Nika missile and tested the Spis interceptor to destroy jet drones. Dozens of special turrets are being deployed in Kyiv."
date: 2026-10-04T21:10:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-develops-new-small-nika-missile
tags: [ukraine, zelenskyy, air-defense, drones, germany, weapons]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine develops new small Nika missile to shoot down jet drones, says Zelenskyy

![New Ukrainian small Nika missile and drone countermeasure systems](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/04/ukraina-razrabotala-novuyu-maluyu-raketu-nika/ukraina-razrabotala-novuyu-maluyu-raketu-nika-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- A new small missile "Nika" has been developed to shoot down jet drones
- The Ukrainian-German "Spis" interceptor has been successfully tested
- Special combat turrets are being actively installed in Kyiv and the region
- Ukraine is negotiating with Germany and Poland on Taurus missiles and F-16 shells

The Ukrainian defense-industrial complex has developed a new specialized weapon to counter air threats. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a small missile called "Nika", designed specifically to destroy enemy jet drones, including modern Shahed-type modifications. Currently, the innovative system is preparing for a series of test launches to confirm its combat characteristics.

### Joint Projects and New Interceptors

In addition to its own "Nika" development, Ukrainian specialists are actively cooperating with international partners. In particular, the president noted the successful completion of tests for the new Ukrainian-German "Spis" interceptor. According to the head of state, the reaction of both the Ukrainian side and German experts to the preliminary test results is exclusively positive, which paves the way for scaling the project.

### Deployment of Turrets and Capital Defense

Parallel to the creation of missile weapons, large-scale work is underway in Ukraine to deploy ground-based interception systems. More than twelve special combat turrets designed to combat jet drones have already been installed in Kyiv. The authorities' immediate plans include installing another eight similar systems in the Kyiv region, and in the future, the number of such defensive complexes at critical facilities will reach dozens.

### Contradictory Data

During official statements and press conferences, certain discrepancies arose regarding the scale of the deployment of defense systems. Initially, it was reported that more than 12 turrets were installed directly in Kyiv and another 8 in the region, but at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited Kyiv on October 4, 2026, it was clarified that the total number of such turrets at various facilities will be "dozens," without detailing the exact proportions between the capital and the region.

### International Support and Prospects

The issue of arms and ammunition supplies remains key on the agenda of the Ukrainian authorities. During negotiations with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Ukrainian side confirmed its continued work on acquiring long-range Taurus cruise missiles. In addition, intensive consultations are underway with Germany and Poland on finding and supplying scarce shells for F-16 fighter jets, which are also involved in repelling jet drone air attacks.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Украина разработала новую малую ракету "Ника" для сбития реактивных дронов, - Зеленский](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-rozrobila-novu-malu-raketu-nika-1791146731.html) - Основной источник информации о ракете Ника и перехватчике Спис.
- [В Украине разработали ракету "Ника" для сбивания реактивных дронов, — Зеленский](https://war.obozrevatel.com/section-war/news-v-ukrayini-rozrobyly-raketu-nika-dlya-zbyttya-reaktyvnykh-droniv-zelenskyy-04-10-2026.html) - Подтверждение деталей о планах испытаний.
- [Украина создала ракету для сбивания реактивных "шахедов"](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4917216-ukrayna-sozdala-raketu-dlia-sbyvanyia-reaktyvnykh-shakhedov) - Детали о применении против реактивных шахедов.
- [Украина готовится к испытаниям новой ракеты «Ника» против реактивных дронов](https://my.ua/news/cluster/2026-10-04-ukraina-gotovitsia-k-ispytaniiam-novoi-rakety-nika-protiv-reaktivnykh-dronov) - Информация о подготовке к испытательным пускам.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the main task of the new "Nika" missile?
**A:** The "Nika" missile is designed specifically to destroy enemy Shahed-type jet drones.

### Q: What other drone countermeasures are being tested in Ukraine?
**A:** Parallel successful tests of the Ukrainian-German "Spis" interceptor are underway, and special ground turrets are being deployed.