Ukrainian air defence effectiveness stands at around 74% – Ukraine's commander-in-chief

Ukraine has maintained its air defence effectiveness at around 74% over the past two years and is working to increase that figure through innovation, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has said.

Source: Syrskyi on Facebook

Quote: "The air defence system is operating under extremely challenging conditions amid constant missile and drone attacks, shielding the country from a daily aerial threat.

The resilience of the system depends on a range of factors, particularly steady supplies of interceptors, modernisation, effective staffing and management decisions as well as the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges and abandon outdated bureaucratic practices.

Air defence effectiveness has stayed at about 74% over the past two years. We are trying to increase this percentage through innovation."

Details: Syrskyi said the anti-aircraft missile forces are the most effective asset in difficult weather, being fully operational in all conditions. When the weather is favourable, aircraft, helicopters and interceptor drones are used extensively.

This made it possible to destroy 70% – and sometimes more – of all aerial assets used by Russia to attack Ukraine, Syrskyi added.

As regards efforts to strengthen the drone component of air defence, he said a series of organisational measures is underway:

• redistributing responsibilities between the anti-aircraft missile forces and a new branch tasked with protecting key facilities
• increasing both the number and quality of interceptor drones
• intensifying cooperation with Ukraine's partners to address shortages of missiles for surface-to-air systems and fighter aircraft.

Background: The Ukrainian Air Force has introduced a new branch of short-range air defence.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the branch is being established under the supervision of Pavlo Yelizarov, Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, with Colonel Yevhenii Khliebnikov leading the formation process.

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