Ukraine improves anti-drone defense and fortifications, military chief says
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (photo: facebook.com/UkrainianLandForces)
In 2025, the condition of engineering fortifications and anti-drone defense improved. A large volume of work was carried out to prepare settlements for defense, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
"I listened to reports from the commanders of troop groupings and the head of the Administration of the State Special Transport Service,'' Syrskyi said.
According to him, they discussed in detail how defensive positions are equipped, the condition of anti-drone protection, and how well settlements are prepared for defense.
Special attention was focused on problematic issues, and specific steps were identified to address them.
The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that servicemen of the engineering troops of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with local authorities and military administrations, are performing critically important tasks virtually continuously.
This includes the creation of extensive systems of trenches and foxholes, the construction of anti-tank ditches, the building of bunkers, and other elements of fortifications.
Syrskyi noted that in 2025, the condition of engineering equipment for defensive lines and anti-drone protection improved, and significant work was carried out to prepare settlements for defense.
At the same time, these measures must continue to be implemented systematically and consistently.
He also drew attention to the experience of defending the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration, which, according to him, proves that timely and high-quality fortifications and engineering barriers make it possible to create effective defense, inflict significant losses on the enemy on the approaches, and thwart its plans even in the case of numerical superiority.
Drone defense
In November 2025, it became known about the launch of a special program aimed at protecting frontline cities, in particular Kherson, from attacks by Russian drones.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the initiative provides for a set of measures to detect, intercept, and neutralize enemy drones that threaten the city.'
Earlier, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced a significant increase in the production of countermeasures against Russian air attacks. According to him, Ukraine will soon reach the level of producing one thousand interceptor drones per day.
The Ministry of Defense has also officially approved for use a new Ukrainian anti-drone pistol. The device blocks control and video signals of enemy drones.
