Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko discussed the issue on Telegram. In a dramatic demonstration of this shifting calculus, a recent video surfaced showing a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter gunner successfully downing six Shahed-136 'kamikaze' drones and four decoy drones in a single mission. The operational cost for that one-hour flight is estimated at $1,000 to $1,500—a fraction of the €30,000 to €60,000 that would have been required for specialized interceptor drones to achieve the same result.This development comes as officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have highlighted the economics of the air war. On September 13, Zelenskyy noted that it can take up to two interceptor drones, costing around €3,000 each, to neutralize a single incoming Shahed. While these anti-aircraft drones are a vital and more economical alternative to expensive surface-to-air missile systems, their limitations and one-time-use nature are forcing a broader look at all available assets.The success is not limited to helicopters. Military analysts point to the unexpected effectiveness of aircraft like the Yak-52 trainer plane, which has been systematically shooting down not only reconnaissance drones but also Shahed-136s. This low-tech solution has proven so effective that Russian forces are reportedly studying the tactic, despite the Yak-52 being ill-suited for combat missions.The debate is now shifting toward the potential of purpose-built light attack aircraft, such as the A-29 Super Tucano or AT-6 Wolverine. Proponents argue that squadrons of these planes could proactively hunt and intercept drone swarms hundreds of kilometers from cities, relieving pressure on ground-based air defenses. With an hourly flight cost between $500 and $1,000, a single light attack aircraft could neutralize up to 10 targets per mission, offering a reusable and highly mobile defense layer. The core message is not an argument against anti-aircraft drones, but a call for a comprehensive, integrated strategy where the unique strengths of every asset are leveraged against the evolving threat.