Defense News , Ukraine Russia war :-
In the course of its 22-month-long invasion, Russia has launched an
extensive aerial campaign against Ukraine, firing approximately 7,400
missiles and deploying 3,700 Shahed attack drones, according to
statements from Kyiv on Thursday. The sheer magnitude of Moscow aerial
offensives underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
Air
force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat revealed that Ukrainian air defenses
successfully intercepted and brought down 1,600 missiles and 2,900
drones. In a televised statement, Ihnat emphasized Ukraine resilience in
the face of a formidable aggressor, stating, "We are faced with an
enormous aggressor, and we are fighting back."
The lower success
rate in intercepting missiles was attributed to the deployment of
supersonic ballistic missiles, which are inherently more challenging to
counter. Additionally, the delayed provision of advanced Patriot air
defense systems by Western allies during the later stages of the war
contributed to the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces.
Throughout
the invasion, Ukraine has received critical support in the form of
advanced air defense systems, including multiple Patriot systems,
empowering them to effectively counter incoming missiles.
Conversely,
the Iranian-made Shahed drones, known for their low-cost production and
distinctive noisy petrol engines, have become increasingly prevalent in
Russia aerial attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure beyond the war front lines in the east and south.
Air force spokesperson Ihnat
revealed that nightly engagements involving ten to fifteen regions have
become routine in shooting down Shahed drones. Despite Russia claims of
exclusively targeting military objectives, evidence indicates that
civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, has been affected,
leading to thousands of documented civilian casualties.
The use
of Shahed drones began in September 2022, initially confounding Ukraine
air defenses due to their stealthy nature, making them harder to detect
than traditional missiles. This prompted Kyiv to adapt its defensive
strategies to effectively counter the new threat.
Facing the
economic impracticality of using expensive air defense missiles against
the cheaply-produced drones, Ukraine has resorted to employing vehicles
with mounted machine guns to counter the aerial threat. Ihnat recalled
the initial challenges, stating, "We were shooting at them with
everything we could find, with pistols, submachine guns. Well, even then
it became clear that the target is not simple, there are many
complications, mistakes. You need to prepare."
Evidence,
including satellite imagery, has surfaced indicating that Russia has
established its own Shahed production facilities, underscoring the
evolving dynamics of the conflict and the ongoing technological
adaptations by both parties.
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