Russia repeatedly attacks Ukraine with guided missiles – but many missiles can be intercepted, also thanks to Western air defense technology. A Ukrainian commander speaks of more than 1,000 kills since September. Still, more systems are needed.
Despite high numbers of shots against incoming Russian missiles and combat drones, Ukraine still needs more weapons for air defense, according to its air force chief. “Since September alone, more than 650 Russian cruise missiles and 610 Iranian-made kamikaze drones have been shot down,” Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk told a Ukrainian online portal for military issues.
According to Oleshchuk, the Russian attacks were aimed at critical infrastructure “to break the Ukrainian population, to put them in darkness”. At the end of the year, the power and water supply had repeatedly failed in large parts of Ukraine because the anti-aircraft defense system was unable to completely destroy the mass of incoming missiles.
It is true that Ukraine has been “actively supported” by the West in terms of anti-aircraft defense with various weapons. “We are currently awaiting the delivery of Patriot and SAMP/T-MAMBA anti-aircraft missile systems,” said the air force chief. “They will significantly strengthen the air defense system of our country.” But this is not enough, said Oleschuk. “We need more technologically advanced weapons that will help us quickly restore order to the sky and rid it of the terrorist presence.”
The general immediately added a wish list to his words: “modern multi-role aircraft and anti-aircraft missile systems of medium and long range, and in large numbers”.
