A Russian source reports details of the new Rita-2 interceptor drone, developed by the Bars-Sarmat special-purpose center. The three-rotor craft reaches over 340 km/h, is designed to counter attack and reconnaissance UAVs at medium to long ranges, and can be launched from ground, vehicle, or airborne platforms. It has been field-tested in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, according to the single source.
A single Russian source has provided extensive technical details on the Rita-2, a new interceptor drone developed by the Bars-Sarmat special-purpose center. The three-rotor platform, a significant evolution from the standard Yolka interceptor, achieves a top speed of over 340 km/h. This speed allows it to effectively pursue and intercept targets evading at up to 200–220 km/h, including in challenging environments with strong winds and jamming. The developers state it is designed to counter Hornet and Rubaka UAVs as well as the German Cascade loitering munition (range 60–100 km).
The Rita-2 can be deployed from ground, vehicle, and airborne platforms, offering flexibility for both fixed air-defense units and mobile rapid-response teams. It is equipped with an optoelectronic seeker featuring MWIR/LWIR thermal imaging and can receive targeting data from third-party optoelectronic and radar systems.
As of June 2026, the system has undergone field trials in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, demonstrating its ability to neutralize enemy reconnaissance and attack UAVs, per the source. Serial production is reportedly organized for rapid scale-up under high-intensity combat conditions. The developers emphasize the system's reusability and low interception cost compared to traditional surface-to-air missiles, positioning it as a promising component in a layered air-defense system against mass attacks.
This report is based on a single source and has not been independently verified. The Zioneer previously covered related developments, including Lithuania's Black Wasp interceptor and Romania's INTERJET jet-powered drone, which reflect a broader trend toward cost-effective drone interceptors.
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