Ukraine is getting anti-aircraft defence systems with 100 km range. Serhiy Zhurets column

On October 31, the Russian occupiers launched several waves of missile attacks on critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic aircraft launched at Ukraine 55 X-101 and X-555 cruise missiles. If anyone thinks that this is a retaliation to the drone strikes in Sevastopol, including the attack on the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Makarov, then they are wrong. This is simply systemic terror. Such a massive attack by Russian cruise missiles requires long-term preparation because the route of each X-101 missile is laid almost manually.

Today, according to our data, the flagship was not on combat duty. Now there are 2 Kalibr carriers instead. The drone attack on Sevastopol was indeed effective and reduced the chance of further attacks by Russian missiles.

Air defense forces demonstrate incredible efficiency

X-101 missiles have a range of up to 5,000 km and are currently used by Russians to strike critical infrastructure of Ukraine. The enemy has been using them lately in large amounts, despite the fact that stocks of these missiles are running out. They are considered to be among the most accurate missiles in the Russian arsenal. Ukrainian Air Defence Forces demonstrate an incredible performance in terms of the percentage of destroyed missiles. One of the Ukrainian generals said that if anti-aircraft defense shoots down 30% of missiles, it is a good result. But today our military has exceeded this standard by three times.

According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman of the Air Force Command of Ukraine, Russian tactic today was not out of the ordinary. There were almost no cases of strategic aviation or UAVs launch. Only 2 launch cases were recorded in the north. Russian Air Forces struck from the north of the Caspian Sea and Volgodonsk in several waves. 45 out of 55 missiles were shot down, which is a very good result. Shooting down even 30% of such technologically advanced missiles, which are designed to pass through air defense, is a success. Air defense systems were used, the air force also assisted MANPADS launches.

New air defense systems for Ukraine: NASAMS, IRIS-T, SAMP/T and, possibly in the future, Patriot

Ihnat added that there is only one IRIS-T system. It works 100% efficiently. We hope that the pedantry and commitment of the Germans will show themselves and we will be given three more of the promised systems in time. And they will also increase production numbers so that Ukraine receives more systems and missiles for them. The efficiency of IRIS-T is close to 100%, the complex is infallible. The system is actually automatic, the human factor is reduced to a minimum. Powerful missiles that fly straight to the target. If only we had more of it, the Ukrainian sky would be safe.

The spokesperson said that there are expectations of NASAMS systems supply. It will happen soon. We will see how well it works and want more systems. There should be no problems with missile supply since almost every NATO state has them. NASAMS, IRIS-T, and in the future, Patriot systems can work in a unified information field in real time and exchange information about air targets. If somewhere one complex did not see the target or was not able to reach it, then the target can destroy another complex. It is a good prospect to combine this whole system into a single one.

Our regular BUK-M1 and S-300 systems have certain capabilities to intercept ballistic targets. This requires a sufficiently high level of professionalism of the staff. We are very close to receiving a system that has not only anti-aircraft, but also anti-missile capabilities. The Ukrainian sky will soon be defended by the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system. Italy and France agreed to provide the battery for the system.

According to the media, it will be included in the military aid package that Ukraine requested from the new Italian Prime Minister. The official decision should be announced sometime in mid-November. It can shoot down both Iskander and Iranian missiles. According to the agreements, Italy is to provide radar stations and France launchers and missiles. The system itself consists of a radar station that can see targets at a distance of 600 km, a combat control cabin and up to six self-propelled launchers - each of them has 8 anti-aircraft missiles. The complex can destroy aircraft at a distance of up to 100 km. This is the longest range possible. The destruction range of ballistic missiles is shorter - up to 25 km. If we start training the military to operate the system in time, it will be a good addition to NASAMS and IRIS-T.

The latest Ukrainian radars

According to Ihnat, every element of the radar stations that the Armed Forces use today can be produced in Ukraine. These are the newest stations. We must understand that we are working in war conditions. The enemy destroyed something important - the first enemy strikes were on the radar stations to blind the Air Force and destroy the means of enemy detection. The new stations are being produced in Ukraine, but it would be great if the Western countries help us with radars anyway.