Ukraine's commander-in-chief: Russia aims to raise share of jet-powered drones in attacks to 50%

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine's "small air defence" destroyed more than 3,500 Russian drones in May. Meanwhile, he has warned that Russia is planning to increase the share of jet-powered drones used in its attacks to 50%.

Source: Syrskyi

Details: Syrskyi stated the impact of daily Russian aerial strikes on Ukraine would be significantly worse without the development of so-called "small air defence" and the use of interceptor drones.

He said that Ukrainian interceptor drones operating within a three-tier air defence system had destroyed more than 3,500 Russian UAVs of various types in May.

He added that the most effective layer was the second tier of air defence, operated by the Unmanned Systems Forces, which shot down more than 1,200 Russian drones over the month.

Syrskyi also said that Ukrainian Army Aviation had destroyed more than 440 Russian UAVs in May. To improve effectiveness against aerial threats, Ukrainian helicopters are being equipped with new detection systems, targeting systems and missile weaponry.

He noted that Ukraine is continuing to increase the number of its interceptor drone crews, is training personnel and is working on creating a fourth air defence layer that would cover two additional oblasts.

Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief stressed that Russia is continuously increasing drone production and improving UAV technology.

Quote: "The enemy is constantly changing its tactics for using UAVs, increasing their numbers and improving their quality. The aggressor plans to raise the share of jet-powered strike drones to 50%.

This creates new challenges for us that require a timely response. I heard proposals to improve the effectiveness of our air defence and further develop domestic interceptor systems at a working meeting on countering enemy strike UAVs."

Background: Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in January that a separate "small air defence" branch was being formed within the Air Force structure. It is being developed under the supervision of Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, and is headed by Colonel Yevhenii Khlebnikov. According to Fedorov, "small" air defence is intended to ensure a faster response to large-scale drone attacks and new threats, including advanced UAV variants. Its tasks include building systems for the analysis, counteraction and forecasting of attacks.

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