### Ukraine Seeks Advanced Automated Turrets to Counter Russian Drone Threat

In an effort to bolster its defenses against relentless nightly drone assaults, Ukraine is turning to innovative technology. UNITED24, a fundraising platform established by President Zelensky, is raising $1.5 million to deploy 10 automated turrets, known as Sky Sentinels. These radar-guided weapons aim to intercept and neutralize drone threats autonomously, offering crucial protection to small cities under siege.

The escalation of Russia's drone bombardment has seen a record-breaking 355 Shahed drones launched in a single night on May 26. Initially conceived with designs borrowed from Iran, the Shahed drones have evolved; while earlier models targeted infrastructure, recent versions are equipped with shrapnel warheads to maximize civilian casualties. The increase and sophistication of these attacks have overwhelmed Ukraine's defenses, dropping their interception rate from over 95% to 84% last month.

Despite efforts using surface-to-air missiles, which are in limited supply, and mobile defense units with thermal imaging and automatic cannons, Ukraine struggles to fend off the sustained drone onslaught. The U.S., for instance, manufactures only about 650 Patriot missiles annually, not nearly enough to counter hundreds of nightly drones.

Sky Sentinels, mounted on mobile trailers, offer a high-tech alternative. Developed entirely in Ukraine, these systems utilize AI to pinpoint and shoot down drones, operating continuously without the need for human intervention. A prototype has already successfully downed four Shahed drones. Unlike traditional human-operated defenses, Sky Sentinels exhibit remarkable precision, reportedly hitting drones traveling at 500 miles per hour with ease.

While previous solutions like the U.S. Phalanx CIWS and Centurion C-RAM are prohibitively expensive, Sky Sentinels present a cost-effective alternative, estimated at a hundredth of the cost. Developers are confident in their ability to scale up production, despite the challenge of maintaining mechanical precision on a larger scale.

UNITED24 has successfully funded the first Sky Sentinel and continues to seek contributions for nine more units. As Ukraine faces increased drone attacks, these automated turrets could significantly mitigate the threat, saving lives and securing cities under continual siege.