Russia ramps up number of drones attacking Ukraine
Photo: Russian Shahed drones (Getty Images)
In September, Russia significantly increased the number of jet-powered drones used to attack Ukraine. As of September 29, their number had already exceeded that of the entire previous month, states Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to him, in August, Russian forces deployed 2,850 jet-powered UAVs, while in September, as of the 29th, their number had already reached 3,177.
"We have more drones this month than in the previous one overall. Today is the 29th, and the enemy continues to attack. In August, we had 2,850 jet-powered UAVs; this month, there are already 3,177. Thus, we see that the enemy has significantly increased the number of jet-powered UAVs," Ihnat said.
He noted that Russian forces carry out attacks in waves. Currently, Kyiv and the Kyiv region remain one of the main directions for drone strikes.
At the same time, other Ukrainian cities are under constant attack by Russia, including Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kherson, and Dnipro. According to Ignat, drones often reach these locations. Sometimes Russians direct air attack assets toward western Ukraine, and jet-powered drones can even reach remote regions.
The Air Force spokesperson also emphasized that Ukraine needs more missiles for Patriot systems and other ground-based complexes to counter jet-powered UAVs and Russian ballistic missiles.
Separately, Ignat noted that the Defense Forces expect rapid, scalable solutions from Ukrainian manufacturers to combat air attacks.
"If we consider the mass scale of attacks, we certainly need new means that can be effective and deliver the expected results. The Air Force and all Defense Forces expect our manufacturers and the defense industry to provide solutions as quickly as possible so that they can be scaled up faster for the soldiers and people who defend the sky every day," he said.
To repel Russian attacks, tactical aviation, including F-16 fighter jets, is currently being used, along with ground-based air defense systems when missiles are available.
Ihnat added that partners are already transferring separate packages of air defense missiles to Ukraine, but support must continue.
The spokesperson summarized that man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) can be effectively used against jet-powered UAVs when the drone enters their engagement zone.
According to Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine is already practically using its own interceptors for jet-powered drones.
