Zelenskyy approves commander of Unmanned Air Defense Systems

Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has already signed the corresponding order. Thus, Colonel Yurii Cherevashenko has become the commander of Unmanned Air Defense Systems and deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.

"There are many tasks ahead of the new commander, which we set at the Staff meeting. In particular, the active integration of unmanned systems – especially interceptor drones – and strengthening our air defense capabilities with advanced armaments," Zelenskyy stated.

Recently, Yurii Cherevashenko has been working on interceptor drones and will further scale the development of the unmanned component within the Air Force. Previously, he took part in establishing the first group of mobile rapid response air defense brigades.

According to open-source information, in the early 2010s, Cherevashenko served as the chief of staff of a separate radio-technical battalion in the Rivne garrison. This unit was part of the 13th Army Corps, which later became the basis for the Northern Operational Command in 2013.

Air‑defense expansion

In June, it became known that Ukraine is forming air‑defense units that will be equipped with interceptor drones. Specialized unmanned systems are needed by Ukrainian forces to intercept Shaheds, whose speed is higher than that of many other drones.

Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said that unmanned systems are an "important argument" for deterring and destroying the enemy. For this reason, the number of such units is increasing.

Note that the Ukrainian military continues to strengthen its defenses against hostile strike drones. Within the Air Force, a Command of air‑defense unmanned systems will be formed to coordinate the work of the new interceptor‑drone units.