Russia's Sokol-I interceptor used against Ukraine's Leleka, Blyskavka, Hornet UAVs
An image from a video purporting to show Russia's Sokol-I interceptor UAV before the platform was launched by hand. (Russian MoD/ TV Zvezda)
Russia's Sokol-I interceptor unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) is being used to engage Ukraine's Leleka, Blyskavka, and Hornet UAVs, according to a 2 June 2026 report by Russian state media agency Tass, which cites a Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement.
An unmanned systems crew from an unnamed Russian armed forces motorised rifle brigade is “striking several aerial targets per day” using the interceptors, Tass said citing the MoD.
The fixed-wing Sokol-I interceptor, which is launched by hand, destroys its target via blunt kinetic impact or detonation of a warhead, according to the report. The Russian MoD did not provide any information on the interceptor's payload capability or the effectiveness of a kinetic impact. The interceptor's “high speed and manoeuvrability” enables it to engage intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) UAVs as well as others, according to Tass. In March 2026, Russian MoD channel TV Zvezda reported that the fuselage of the Sokol-I interceptor is made from polystyrene foam. TV Zvezda also reported that the Sokol-I flies at an altitude of 5 km and reaches a speed of 150 km/h.
The Sokol-I is effective in engaging fixed wing platforms, the MoD was quoted as saying. The Zvezda report said that the interceptor was used to strike a number of types of Ukrainian UAV including Chaklun, Leleka, Blyskavka, and Shark. According to the same report, Russia's counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) battalion of the 7th Unmanned Systems Regiment of the Centre (Tsenter - Центр) Group is using a number of the interceptors on a “daily basis”.
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