Ukraine to strengthen drone-based air defense

The Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said this in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda.

According to him, during a meeting on June 2, the commander and commanders of air units seriously raised the issue of strengthening the development of drone air defense.

"We are talking about anti-aircraft drones that help intercept air forces. Crews are being trained in various locations in our country. New units will be introduced," Ihnat said.

The spokesman informed that the meeting was held after Russia launched a record number of targets at Ukraine - 479 air attack means. According to Ihnat, the Russians used the tactic of using a large number of weapons on one target with dive-bombing from a high altitude.

"Drone air defense used to be used more by ground troops, as they needed to solve the problem of scouts on the front line, who hover in dozens or hundreds. But reconnaissance UAVs are already being spotted in the interior of the country. In addition to the fact that the Shahids, of course, attack every night. That's why the development of anti-aircraft drones and the development of air defense drones is timely and will yield higher and higher performance," he added.

Yuriy Ihnat emphasized that the war has already moved to a new technological level, where robots and drones play a key role both on the ground and in the air: “Whoever owns the air will have the key to success on the ground.”

One of Ukraine's largest foundations has donated interceptor drones and related equipment worth UAH 300 million to the Air Force, including electronic warfare equipment, mobile command posts, and satellite communications systems. The equipment is currently deployed in the South and East Command units, with the prospect of scaling up to the rear regions.

• Deputy Director General of the company producing electronic warfare equipment, aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi noted that Russia is not only increasing the number of drones, but also changing its tactical approaches. In response, it is necessary to increase the number of cheap and effective interceptors to counter these threats.