Air Defense

ZIRKA

Also known as
  • ZIRKA interceptor
  • Zirka interceptor drone
  • ZIRKA UAV
  • ZIRKA drone interceptor

ZIRKA is a Ukrainian high-speed counter-UAV interceptor drone developed by NOCTIS with investment and scaling support from Vyriy Industries. Publicly presented in June 2026, it is designed to automate detection, tracking, and terminal engagement against Shahed-type strike drones and other fast aerial threats.

ZIRKA, Counter-UAV interceptor drone, Air Defense
Image source: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation

Role in Conflicts

2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Air Defense

Mezha reported a NOCTIS representative's statement that ZIRKA drones had been actively used since May and, after operator visual contact and target confirmation, destroyed the target in automatic mode in nine of ten cited cases.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Ukraine
Type
Counter-UAV interceptor drone
Service note
Unveiled in 2026
Designer
NOCTIS
Designed
Publicly presented in June 2026
Unit cost
Up to $2,000 per interceptor, according to the developers
Produced
Publicly presented in 2026; serial production status not independently confirmed in the cited sources

Specifications

Role
Counter-UAV interceptor for Shahed-type strike drones and fast aerial threats
Top speed
Over 340 km/h
Operating altitude
Up to 6 km
Operational radius
Up to 30 km from the launch point
Endurance
Up to 20 minutes
Guidance and automation
Automatic target detection, tracking, and terminal guidance
Design basis
Developed from real counter-UAV combat experience, including input from the Darknode anti-Shahed battalion
Development roles
NOCTIS handles interception technology, software, automation, product development, sales, implementation, and support; Vyriy Industries provides investment and production-scaling expertise
Public status
Publicly unveiled in Kyiv on 2026-06-30; operational-use evidence is a NOCTIS statement relayed by Mezha, while cited sources do not report government codification or serial production
Variants

Public reporting identifies ZIRKA 2.0 as the planned next iteration rather than a separate fielded model.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
ZIRKA 2.0Planned upgraded interceptor

NOCTIS described the next version as adding automated movement into the target detection zone, improved thermal imaging, refined detection and guidance algorithms, communications updates, and automatic near-target warhead detonation.

Sources: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation, Babel ZIRKA report

Timeline

ZIRKA Key Events

  1. Company statement says ZIRKA drones were active

    Mezha reported a NOCTIS representative's statement that ZIRKA drones had been actively used since May, with automatic-mode destruction after operator visual contact and target confirmation in most reported contacts.

    Sources: Mezha Defense ZIRKA report

  2. ZIRKA publicly presented in Kyiv

    Vyriy Industries announced the public presentation of ZIRKA, describing NOCTIS as developer and Vyriy as investor and scaling partner.

    Sources: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation

  3. Initial public specifications reported

    Ukrainian media reported the claimed 340-plus km/h speed, 6 km operating altitude, 30 km radius, 20 minute endurance, and sub-$2,000 unit cost.

    Sources: Babel ZIRKA report, RBC-Ukraine ZIRKA specifications

Automation And Upgrade Path

ZIRKA's public material presents the interceptor as a low-cost autonomous engagement layer for the Shahed-defense problem rather than a manually flown FPV drone. The cited reports keep the current platform and the planned ZIRKA 2.0 upgrade distinct.

Current automation

Vyriy says the fielded design combines automatic target detection, target tracking, and terminal guidance toward fast aerial threats.

Sources: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation; Babel ZIRKA report.

Combat-experience basis

The developers cite practical counter-Shahed experience, including Darknode anti-Shahed battalion input, as part of the design background.

Sources: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation; UNITED24 Media ZIRKA report.

ZIRKA 2.0 plan

Planned upgrades include automated movement into the detection zone, stronger thermal imaging for machine-vision detection at 2 km, updated detection and guidance algorithms, communications and positioning additions, and automatic near-target warhead detonation.

Sources: Vyriy ZIRKA public presentation; Babel ZIRKA report; Mezha Defense ZIRKA report.

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Sources

Vyriy ZIRKA public presentationPublisher: Vyriy Industries | Note: Official announcement supporting ZIRKA identity, NOCTIS/Vyriy development roles, claimed performance figures, planned ZIRKA 2.0 features, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Babel ZIRKA reportPublisher: Babel | Note: Supports independent reporting of the public presentation, claimed cost, speed, altitude, radius, endurance, automation, development roles, and planned ZIRKA 2.0 improvements. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Mezha Defense ZIRKA reportPublisher: Mezha | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct-use reporting through a NOCTIS representative's statement that ZIRKA drones had been actively used since May, plus ZIRKA's counter-Shahed purpose, NOCTIS/Vyriy partnership, and claimed specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Kyiv Post ZIRKA overviewPublisher: Kyiv Post | Note: Supports English-language corroboration of the ZIRKA presentation, claimed automation, cost, performance, and planned ZIRKA 2.0 development. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RBC-Ukraine ZIRKA specificationsPublisher: RBC-Ukraine | Note: Supports the public specification package, including speed, altitude, flight time, operational range, unit-cost claim, and the NOCTIS/Vyriy division of responsibilities. | Accessed: 2026-07-02UNITED24 Media ZIRKA reportPublisher: UNITED24 Media | Note: Supports the counter-Shahed role, claimed performance values, NOCTIS/Vyriy role split, and image attribution to Vyriy Industries. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Vyriy official websitePublisher: Vyriy Industries | Note: Supports Vyriy as a Ukrainian military-technology company producing unmanned systems and contributing drone products to Ukrainian frontline use. | Accessed: 2026-07-02