What is Yolka? Viral video claims Russian forces using new handheld anti-drone system

A viral video circulating online shows a soldier operating the pistol-like device, which appears to be launched from a compact launcher. Reports suggest the system can track and intercept drones in mid-air, effectively destroying them.

According to available information, the “Yolka” system is mass-produced in Moscow and is designed to counter a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles, including FPV drones, reconnaissance platforms, and heavier fixed-wing strike UAVs, as reported by Military Affairs.

The device is said to be operational in Russia’s border regions as well as in the so-called special military operation zone. It reportedly weighs around 1.3 kilograms, can reach speeds of up to 230 km/h, and detect and engage targets at distances of up to three kilometers.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned of a dangerous escalation in the Ukraine conflict following a wave of large-scale Russian strikes and threats of further attacks. UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council in New York that “the death spiral must stop,” stressing that the situation is becoming increasingly unstable.

He said recent attacks on May 23 and 24 highlight “the gravity of this moment,” warning that the current trajectory is unsustainable and could lead to “unknown and unintended consequences.” Guterres called for immediate and sustained de-escalation and demanded a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”

The emergency meeting comes amid growing concern over rising civilian casualties and continued strikes on infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia. According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), 815 civilians were killed and 4,174 injured in Ukraine between January and April 2026, marking an increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, more than 15,000 civilians, including nearly 800 children, have been killed in Ukraine, according to verified UN figures.