New air defense branch planned: Ukraine to create force to protect critical infrastructure

Syrskyi noted that the air defense system operates in extremely difficult conditions of constant missile and drone attacks by the enemy, protecting the country from daily air threats.

According to him, over the past two years effectiveness of air defense has remained at about 74%. This percentage is being increased through innovations.

"The enemy uses from 100 to 200 Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles of Shahed type daily and periodically carries out massive missile and aviation strikes," the commander-in-chief said.

He added that in difficult weather conditions main and most effective means remain anti-aircraft missile troops, which are all-weather, while in favorable weather conditions, aviation, helicopters, and interceptor drones are actively involved.

Syrskyi reported that a set of organizational measures to increase the effectiveness of the unmanned component of air defense is currently underway:

• Redistribution of functions between anti-aircraft missile troops and a new military branch responsible for the protection of critical facilities is planned.
• The number and quality of interceptor drones are being increased.
• Active interaction with partners is underway to solve the problem of the shortage of missiles for anti-aircraft missile systems and fighter aviation.

Zelenskyy's statements on air defense

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after another massive Russian attack on energy infrastructure, drew attention to the effectiveness of air defense.

He noted that the Ministry of Defense, together with the military, will work on improving the destruction of enemy missiles and drones.

In recent days, the head of state reported reform of the air defense system in certain regions.

Creation of new units — unmanned air defense forces, or small air defense — is also planned, which will be headed by a separate commander.