Ukrainian air defense operators on the Karat interceptor drone crew were initially tasked with tracking a wandering Russian lancet weapon, but instead encountered a more advanced unmanned system in the air, the latest Russian AI-powered drone known as Klin. The incident was reported by Western Air Forces Command, which released footage of the engagement.
According to military sources, the interceptor crew of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment received information that enemy drones were flying in their assigned southern sector. Based on previous experience and threat patterns, they initially assessed the target as a lancet, a system previously used to attack positions.
read more: Ukrainian Phoenix forces destroy Russian Kozerog-1 MLRS, armored vehicles and transport vehicles (video)
The crew’s commander, an operator with the call sign Kevin, said his force had already suffered losses from lancet attacks, making the interception mission particularly important. However, during the engagement it became clear that the air target did not match the expected profile and instead corresponded to a new Russian platform.
The drone has been identified as Klin and is described by Ukrainian sources as having autonomous targeting capabilities supported by artificial intelligence. Unlike previous systems, it is reportedly capable of detecting and engaging targets without GPS guidance or continuous operator control.
According to the report, the Klin system can operate at a range of up to 120 kilometers, carry a warhead of about 5 kilograms, and function in “airborne minefield” mode, where it prowls waiting for a target to enter a designated destruction zone. This provides much greater flexibility compared to traditional loitering weapons.
After visual confirmation of the target, the interceptors received clearance to engage. The final attack was carried out by the drone interceptor operator Roman, known by the call sign Pokhreznik, and the engagement was completed successfully.
This interception was the first reported encounter between Ukrainian air defense drone forces and the Klin system. The Ukrainian military said this is an important data point in understanding the evolution of Russia’s unmanned aerial capabilities.
read more: Ukrainian Bubala battalion attacks Russian Musta-S, Gvozdika and Chulpan systems in Belgorod Oblast (video)
