---
title: "Ukraine Unveils the «Zorelit v5» Interceptor Drone with Speeds Up to 416 km/h to Counter Jet-Powered «Shaheds»"
description: "The Ukrainian company «Vlyuchnyk» has unveiled the «Zorelit v5» interceptor drone with speeds up to 416 km/h to counter jet-powered strike UAVs. The aircraft was developed based on the v4, which has already been adopted into service."
date: 2026-09-21T12:40:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-zorelit-v5-interceptor-drone-416-km-h
tags: [drone-interceptor, ukraine, vluchnyk, zorelit-v5, counter-drone, shahed, defense-tech]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine Unveils the «Zorelit v5» Interceptor Drone with Speeds Up to 416 km/h to Counter Jet-Powered «Shaheds»

![Ukrainian interceptor drone Zorelit v5 with streamlined fuselage and wingtip engines](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/21/ukraina-dron-perehvatchik-zorelit-v5-416-km-ch/ukraina-dron-perehvatchik-zorelit-v5-416-km-ch-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- «Vlyuchnyk» has unveiled the «Zorelit v5» interceptor drone with speeds up to 416 km/h and a range of up to 47 km to counter jet-powered strike UAVs.
- The aircraft was developed based on the v4, which has been adopted into service and assigned a NATO code (NSN), and carries a 300–600 g warhead.
- AI modules are available: target illumination in the thermal imager, automatic «last mile» terminal guidance, and autonomous navigation using SkyMap data.
- Supply is being carried out through direct contracts; after codification, the drone will become available under the «eBally» program.

The Ukrainian company «Vlyuchnyk» has unveiled a new interceptor drone, the «Zorelit v5», designed to counter jet-powered strike unmanned aerial vehicles. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing the manufacturer, the aircraft is capable of reaching speeds of up to 416 km/h and intercepting its target directly along its flight path. The release of the new version coincides with a broader trend of carving out jet-powered interceptors as a separate class of anti-drone defense systems: at the end of August, the defense forces already received the first domestically produced jet interceptor, the Alexa Spatium, developed to destroy small air, ground, and surface targets.

### Specifications and Combat Capabilities

According to the manufacturer, the maximum speed of the «Zorelit v5» is 416 km/h, with a flight range of up to 47 km on a single charge. At a cruising speed of 200 km/h, flight time is estimated at approximately 17 minutes. The aircraft is designed to carry a warhead weighing between 300 and 600 g. The package includes a camera gimbal, an ELRS module with a choice of several frequency bands (150 / 340 / 500 / 620 / 750 / 915 / 2.4 GHz, Sine.Link, and others), as well as a VTX video transmitter in the 4990–6100 MHz range with a 2.5 W output, featuring arming, remote detonation, and a physical safety pin. The design is oriented toward interception along the target's flight path at the target's cruising speed.

### Legacy of v4 and Proven Solutions

The new interceptor was developed based on the previous «Zorelit v4» model, which, according to the company, already has a number of successful combat deployments, has been adopted into service, and has been assigned a NATO code (NSN). The v5 design incorporates solutions proven during the predecessor's combat missions, which, by the developers' logic, reduces deployment risks and accelerates the combat use of the new version.

### AI Modules and Autonomous Guidance

The drone can be additionally equipped with a remote control module via the internet, transmitting both control commands and a video stream. The configuration designated «AI» provides target illumination in the thermal imaging camera for more effective tracking, as well as automatic terminal guidance («last mile») to the target in the final stage of the attack. Autonomous navigation to the target zone based on SkyMap data is also claimed.

### Supply and Codification

At present, the «Zorelit v5» is available for order through direct contracts with military units. In parallel, the drone is undergoing the codification procedure, after which it will become available for order under the «eBally» program. Thus, the manufacturer is building a two-stage supply scheme: first direct contracts, then mass ordering through the state platform.

### Context: Jet Interceptors as a Separate Class

Jet-powered interceptor drones are gradually becoming an independent direction in the development of Ukraine's anti-drone defense. The appearance of the «Zorelit v5» against the backdrop of the already delivered Alexa Spatium points to the formation of an entire line of interception systems designed to operate against high-speed jet UAVs. At the same time, all the technical parameters cited are manufacturer claims and, at the time of publication, have not been confirmed by independent testing.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Ukraine Unveils Interceptor Drone for Jet-Powered «Shaheds»: What Is Known About the «Zorelit v5»](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayini-predstavili-dron-perehoplyuvach-1789994227.html) - Первичный источник: скорость 416 км/ч, дальность 47 км, крейсер 200 км/ч / ~17 мин, БЧ 300–600 г, комплектация ELRS/VTX, база v4 с NSN, ИИ-модули, SkyMap, прямые контракты и «еБаллы», контекст Alexa Spatium.
- [AI, Automatic Guidance, and 416 km/h: Ukraine Develops New Drone Interceptor «Zorelit v5»](https://korabelov.info/ru/2026/09/617542/yy-avtomatycheskoe-navedenye-y-416-km-ch-v-ukrayne-sozdaly-novyj-perekhvatchyk-dronov-zorelyt-v5/) - Совпадает по ключевым цифрам (416 км/ч) и наличию ИИ-наведения; датирован сентябрём 2026.
- [Ukraine Develops New Interceptor Drone «Zorelit v5»: Reaches 416 km/h. PHOTOS](https://censor.net/ru/news/4024497/perehvatchik-zorel-t-v5-chto-izvestno-ob-ukrainskom-drone) - Подтверждает скорость 416 км/ч и факт создания/представления аппарата.
- [Ukraine Unveils New Interceptor for Jet-Powered Shaheds, Zorelit v5](https://nv.ua/ukraine/events/zorelit-v5-v-ukraine-zavershili-ispytaniya-novogo-zenitnogo-drona-perehvatchika-50643273.html) - Подтверждает факт представления перехватчика реактивных «Шахедов».

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the maximum speed and range of the «Zorelit v5» drone?
**A:** According to the manufacturer, the maximum speed is 416 km/h, and the flight range on a single charge is up to 47 km. At a cruising speed of 200 km/h, flight time is about 17 minutes.

### Q: How does the «Zorelit v5» differ from the previous v4 version?
**A:** The new version was developed based on the v4, which has already been adopted into service and assigned a NATO code (NSN). The v5 retains the predecessor's combat-proven solutions and adds AI guidance capabilities, autonomous navigation via SkyMap, and remote control over the internet.

### Q: How can one order the «Zorelit v5»?
**A:** At present, the drone is available through direct contracts with military units. After the codification procedure is completed, it will become available for order under the «eBally» program.