The Yolka interceptor drone
OSINT analysts reveal details of Russian interceptor drone that reaches 200 km/h
Ukrainian OSINT channel Mortis Æterna has released an instruction manual for the Russian Yolka interceptor drone, which is used to counter Ukrainian UAVs.
Ukrainska Pravda
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Mortis Æterna, a Ukrainian OSINT analyst, has released an instruction manual for the Yolka, a Russian interceptor drone used to counter Ukrainian UAVs.
Source: Mortis Æterna
Details: The document describes the device's specifications, operating principles, typical targets and usage limitations. The information available indicates that these interceptors are already being distributed among Russian units.
According to the manual, the drone is launched from a handheld launcher. It has a maximum speed of up to 200 km/h, a flight range of up to 1.6 km and an operating altitude of up to 800 m. An optical camera mounted on the nose enables automatic target acquisition, allowing the drone to operate on a fire-and-forget basis and simplifying operator training.
The Yolka is a single-use interceptor and is therefore manufactured from relatively simple and inexpensive components. This, in turn, affects its capabilities and operational stability.
The manual states that the drone operates most effectively in good visibility, specifically from one hour after sunrise until sunset. Use in rain is prohibited, and night-time effectiveness drops significantly due to the lack of a night vision camera.
The main targets listed are first-person view (FPV) drones and bomber UAVs ranging from 30 cm to two metres in size and fixed-wing UAVs with a wingspan of two to five metres. Large long-range drones, however, are not standard targets for the Yolka and intercepting them requires launching three or more interceptors. The drone also has no warhead, so targets are destroyed by ramming.
Certain limitations are linked to weather conditions. For example, at wind speeds exceeding eight metres per second, interception effectiveness decreases, and it is recommended that the drone be launched in the direction of the wind.
Effectiveness also depends on the target's speed. If it is moving slower than 80 km/h, interception is possible from various directions, provided the operator is at a distance of 100-200 m. For faster targets, more precise launch timing is required: when approaching head-on, launch directly at the target; when passing, along the target's trajectory at a distance of up to 600 m.
For target acquisition, it is important that there are no extraneous objects in the background behind the target, otherwise the guidance system may lose the target.
Typical problems noted include breakage of the launch mechanism through careless use, as well as camera fogging during sharp temperature changes, which can lead to loss of target lock. The interceptor can also lose tracking due to weather conditions, glare, or active drone manoeuvring.
The Yolka interceptor drone was first spotted in May 2025. It is used primarily against Ukrainian bomber drones and fixed-wing UAVs.
Background: Interceptor drones are being used with increasing frequency as a means of countering strike UAVs. It was previously reported that in Ukraine, private companies have begun to be involved in downing Russian attack drones as part of an experimental project.
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