Interceptor drone Yolka: Russia rolls out its system against Ukrainian attack drones on a broad scale

Combat videos of the Yolka (Ёлки/fir tree) have been noticeably accumulating for weeks. As an autonomous interceptor drone, the system is intended to engage Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of counter-drone defence. For a long time, the system gave the impression of a niche project; by now it is likely to have reached broad trials with the troops. Numerous indications suggest that Russia has completed development and is at least preparing series production, possibly having already started it.

From the Russian perspective, this means: the hardware is ready for operational use, and mass production can be expected if it is not already under way. Moscow is named as the production site.

From Red Square to the front

The Yolka first came to the attention of a wider public during the May events of 2025 on Red Square in Moscow. A leaked video shows the drone near Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is carried, half concealed, by a person who to all appearances belongs to his close protection detail.

Afterwards, the system largely faded from public view. Apart from isolated images and videos, nothing pointed to large-scale use. That has now changed: the number of Yolka videos has been growing for weeks, and what they show deserves attention.

Russian media reports and the footage itself both indicate that the Yolka resembles a MANPADS system (-> Small missiles with a big impact: what are MANPADS?) not only in its simple handling but also in its flight behaviour.

Operation is described as “simple and intuitive”. As with a MANPADS missile, the gunner aims the optics at the target via a grip with a launch rail. Once the system is activated, beeps with an audibly changing frequency can be heard before the launch is triggered.

Videos der russischen Abfangdrohne „Yolka“
1/2#WarOfDrones pic.twitter.com/ypXrjluJt7— Martin Rosenkranz🇦🇹🇪🇺🇺🇳🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@MartinRosenkra3) June 13, 2026

The design is characterised by two pairs of X-wings. At the front is a smaller X for stabilisation; on the rear X, one propeller per surface and control surfaces can be seen. The nose carries two optics and cooling slots. Judging by its outward appearance, the structure is likely to be 3D-printed.

Interceptor drone on the fire-and-forget principle

It is therefore not only the gunner's handling that is modelled on the MANPADS principle, but also the drone's behaviour. The operating concept clearly follows the “fire-and-forget” principle: once the drone has been launched, the gunner can no longer influence its further flight – all that remains for him is the role of spectator.

What he gets to see is remarkable. The Yolka evidently uses proportional navigation. It adjusts its course to the target in such a way that the bearing to the target remains constant relative to its own direction of flight. The Yolka does not chase the target's current position but maintains a constant collision angle, thus closing the distance.

According to Russian articles, the drone has no warhead. The target is damaged or destroyed by the kinetic energy released on impact. The targeting system is credited with AI-supported pattern recognition intended to aim specifically at the rotors of the drones under attack.

Stated top speeds range from 200 to 250 km/h. The effective range is given as 2 to 5 kilometres, the maximum operating altitude as 1.5 to 2 kilometres.

The latest Russian reports claim more than 100 confirmed kills. According to these, more than 100 targets have already been successfully engaged with the system.