From Crimea to Rivne Region: First 900-km Flight by a Jet-Propelled Shahed

Speed and Stealth in the Air

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Category: Radio Track: News

On August 20, 2026, monitoring channels reported that a jet-powered Shahed drone covered roughly 900 kilometers after being launched from occupied Crimea and remaining on the radar until it reached western Ukraine. The UAV was tracked over Odesa, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil oblasts, then vanished from monitors near Dubno. Local outlet Tvoie Rivne said the drone’s speed exceeded 600 km/h. At the time of publication, authorities had not confirmed whether the drone was intercepted or whether it hit a target.

Oleh Petrukhin said he personally saw the drone and claimed that a fighter jet-identified as either a MiG or an F-15-was pursuing it.

According to Petrukhin, the drone flew toward Kostopil and then angled toward Rivne or Dubno. Halyna Kruk added that after the drone came down, the fighter aircraft gained altitude and flew off.

Western Ukrainian regions can no longer assume safety based on distance from the launch site. Because the UAV stopped being detected near Dubno, whether it caused a strike or was brought down remains unknown.

This incident underscores the growing reach of drones in the ongoing conflict and raises questions about the security of areas far from the front lines. With the combination of high speed and a deep-penetration route, authorities will need to reinforce monitoring and air defense in the west to respond quickly to similar threats in the future.