Ukraine intercepts 80 percent of Russian attack weapons

Ukraine has shot down about 80 percent of Russian attack weapons during record-long air raids in recent days, ERR reported, citing Lieutenant Colonel Taavi Liias, head of a division staff section.

Russia has carried out extended combined air attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding area over the past several nights and days. Liias said Ukraine had withstood the attacks surprisingly well.

He said the attacks had tested the country’s entire air defence capability, from machine guns to Patriot missiles and fighter jets. The Russian forces used conventional drones, jet-powered drones, ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles.

Because about 80 percent of the attack weapons were shot down, it remains unclear exactly what Russia was attempting to strike, Liias said. Based on the weapons that reached their targets, he said Russia was still trying to damage or destroy heat production plants, power stations and water infrastructure. Logistics companies and retail businesses had also been added to the targets, while schools and hospitals had also been hit.

Jet-powered Russian drones are causing particular problems for Ukraine. Liias said the Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones remained in use, while the newest model, the Banderol S8000, was classified not as a drone but as a drone missile.

These weapons travel considerably faster, at up to 600 kilometres per hour, and can reach speeds of up to 700 kilometres per hour when diving towards their targets. As a result, Ukraine’s mobile defence teams cannot shoot them down with machine guns and anti-aircraft guns in most circumstances.

Ukraine must therefore use air defence missiles or hope that the weapons can be hit by cheaper guns and machine guns during the brief period when they dive towards the ground, Liias said. He added that the problem could eventually be solved, as every new measure in warfare produces a countermeasure.

For now, air defence missiles and fighter jets are used to bring down the drone missiles. Liias said Ukraine was again able to use Patriot missiles, although it had not disclosed how many were available.

He called the additional Patriots extremely important because they are one of the few, and almost the only, systems Ukraine has that can intercept ballistic missiles. He said Iskander missiles fly into the upper atmosphere before diving directly towards the ground, making electronic warfare ineffective against them. Liias said it was therefore crucial for the United States to continue supplying Ukraine with Patriot missiles.