Prytuli Foundation hands over 626 ZIRKA interceptor drones to military units worth UAH 51.8 million

Ukrainian defenders have received a new batch of interceptor drones. On 2 November 2026, the press service of the Sergiy Prytuli Foundation announced the handover of 626 units of equipment to two military units. The total cost of the supplied drones and accompanying equipment is UAH 51.8 million.

Distribution of equipment between brigades

The 11th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine received the majority of the drones. Its personnel were handed 326 ZIRKA drones and three ground control stations. A further 300 interceptors were delivered to the 412nd Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade "Nemesis".

The specified equipment is intended to neutralise Russian attack drones, particularly high-speed modifications that pose a serious threat to air defence systems.

Features of the ZIRKA drone

Bogdan Danyliv, head of the military department of the Sergiy Prytuli Foundation, explained that the new drones were developed taking into account the current needs of the front. According to him, in October there were nights when the enemy launched over 150 attack drones, with an increasing number of them being jet-powered.

"Шахед" став швидшим, тому перехоплювач теж має бути швидким і бачити в темряві. 626 "Зірок" з тепловізорами й автодонаведенням ми передали саме під це: оператор підтверджує ціль, далі дрон веде її сам, – розповів Богдан Данилів. ("The Shahed has become faster, so the interceptor must also be fast and able to see in the dark. We handed over 626 'Zirkas' with thermal imagers and auto-guidance specifically for this: the operator confirms the target, and then the drone tracks it on its own," said Bogdan Danyliv.)

The ZIRKA drone is capable of reaching speeds of over 410 km/h, climbing to an altitude of up to six kilometres, and remaining airborne for up to 20 minutes. The system's range reaches 30 kilometres. A key advantage is the integrated machine vision system, which recognises enemy targets at a distance of up to one kilometre. After the operator confirms the target, the drone automatically tracks it. The unit is also equipped with a thermal imaging camera on a servo drive, allowing it to operate effectively at night.

First combat use

The effectiveness of the new equipment was confirmed shortly after the handover. The "RETRO" crew of the Darknode battalion, which is part of the 412nd "Nemesis" Brigade, successfully shot down a Russian "Geran-5" drone-missile. According to the foundation, the enemy target was moving at an altitude of 3,500 metres at a speed of approximately 400 km/h.

Funding for the "United Fund. Clean Sky" project

The purchase of 626 drones was made within the framework of the charitable initiative "United Fund. Clean Sky". The project is implemented jointly by the Sergiy Prytuli Foundation, the 412nd Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade "Nemesis", and the World Congress of Ukrainians. The total fundraising target is UAH 1.25 billion to provide the military with air defence means.

Since the start of the initiative, the Defence Forces have already received assets worth UAH 690,533,120, including 4,831 drones of various types.

The Sergiy Prytuli Foundation has been operating since 2020. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the organisation has raised over UAH 14 billion to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Funds are directed towards the purchase of drones, air defence systems, armoured vehicles, communications equipment, and medical supplies, as well as the implementation of humanitarian and educational projects.