Most Russian ballistic missiles fail to hit their targets - Air Force
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command (ArmyInform)
The Ukrainian Air Force does not provide detailed data on Russian ballistic missiles in its statistics. This is because many missiles of this type fail to reach their intended targets, Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said during a national telethon live broadcast.
Russian ballistic missiles fail to hit their targets
Ihnat explained why the Air Force does not disclose the number of Russian ballistic missiles launched in its reports. The reason is that many missiles of this type fail to reach their targets.
The Air Force publishes only information on the effectiveness of intercepting enemy missiles.
"There were interceptions today. Unfortunately, not as many as we would like. We would like to shoot down more, with more capabilities, specifically more missiles for Patriot systems," he said.
According to the spokesperson, some ballistic missiles are also intercepted.
"Virtually all cruise missiles were shot down. These included Kalibr missiles, and Banderol drones were also hit," Ihnat said.
He added that, besides Iskander-M missiles, Russia can launch:
- North Korean KN-23 missiles,
- Zircon missiles,
- Missiles fired from S-400 air defense systems.
"A large number of missiles fail to reach their targets. Therefore, information on the number of missiles launched will continue to be released in a limited manner," Ihnat noted.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Russia had increased its use of jet-powered drones fivefold in July-August. In August, Russia used more than 2,800 jet-powered UAVs against Ukraine, Ihnat said.
It was also reported that during some attacks, Russia's jet-powered UAVs account for up to two-thirds of all drones used.
In addition, overnight on September 1, Russia attacked Ukraine with Iskander-M, KN-23 and S-400 ballistic missiles, as well as Zircon anti-ship missiles, launched from the Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh and Rostov regions. Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 12 missiles.
