Russia shifts Shahed drone strategy: Ukraine readies counter
Photo: How the Ukrainian Air Force is changing its tactics to combat Shaheds (Getty Images)
Ukraine is creating its own comprehensive air defense system. The Ukrainian Iron Dome will differ significantly from the Israeli one due to the large size of our territory, according to Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.
What will Ukraine's Iron Dome be like?
According to Yelizarov, it is physically and economically impossible to completely cover Ukraine's territory with expensive anti-aircraft missiles such as Patriot or IRIS-T. Therefore, the military leadership has approved a conceptual decision to create its own Iron Dome, which consists of four components.
"It will differ from the Israeli one because our dome must be much larger. On our dome, let's say, the Israeli dome is a small spot, purely in terms of size, I mean," he explains.
Currently, the Ukrainian Air Force is systematically working on its implementation.
Where lion's share of drones are shot down
The deputy commander says that up to 50% of Russian drones are destroyed at the border or along the front line. This is where the most trained Ukrainian Defense Forces brigades are located, which are always ready to respond quickly and take the brunt of the Russian attack.
New Russian tactics and Armed Forces of Ukraine's response
Russia has changed its approach to attacks and now launches Shahed drones in large so-called flocks to break through Ukrainian defenses.
"They no longer fly in small groups. It's like wild boars running through the forest and destroying everything in their path. And this model will continue to intensify," Yelizarov says.
He adds that even if the crews of mobile fire groups are deployed in three echelons, they will not be able to cope with the simultaneous flight of, for example, 15 drones in one area. Some of the drones will still break through.
That is why the Ukrainian Air Force has developed a completely new tactic for combating Russian drones, which is now being systematically implemented, the deputy commander notes.
Pavlo Yelizarov
Pavlo Yelizarov became deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force in January 2026. According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, in this position, Yelizarov will be responsible for the development of the so-called small air defense, whose task is to combat Russian drones.
Before this, Yelizarov headed the Lasar's group military unit, which became one of the most effective in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He joined the army in February 2022.
