Can Russia exhaust air defense with mass drone launches: Expert's response
Photo: illustrative image (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia cannot exhaust Ukraine's air defense with Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Mobile fire groups, electronic warfare systems (EWS), and only then short-range anti-aircraft missile systems are used to repel attacks, states aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
As Kryvolap explained, air defense consists of several layers, specifically:
- the first layer: mobile fire groups;
- the second layer: anti-aircraft artillery systems, such as Hydra-70-based missiles;
- the third layer: anti-aircraft systems like Gepard, Skynex, and others;
- the fourth layer: air defense systems equipped with advanced radar systems;
- at the top of the chain are systems like Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T. However, this layer is not used to counter drone attacks.
According to the expert, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare systems, and short-range anti-aircraft missile systems are typically engaged to destroy Shaheds.
"So, if we're talking about exhaustion, this won't exhaust (air defense - ed.), only our people — our population, whose mental state does not improve when alarms sound every night. That’s 100%," he added.
Russian attacks on Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale war, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages have become a constant threat, causing destruction and endangering civilians. Russian forces are actively using various weapons: missiles, guided aerial bombs, and kamikaze drones.
Recently, the frequency of drone attacks has significantly increased, targeting Ukrainian territories almost nightly, intensifying tension and risks for the civilian population.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in October 2024, Russian forces conducted a record number of Shahed drone attacks, with 2,023 launches. This marked the most intensive use of such drones since the beginning of the year.
