Russian jet drones are posing challenges for air defense systems, especially in Kyiv
Russia is using jet-powered drones to attack Ukraine in an attempt to sow panic. At the same time, Ukraine’s air defense forces are working to intercept and destroy them.
Anti-aircraft missile and artillery units are countering these drones; however, according to a military official, the situation is particularly challenging for Kyiv.
Responding to a question about drone attacks on Ukraine—particularly jet-powered drones—he noted that the enemy is primarily targeting civilian facilities.
“Russian attacks with jet-powered drones on cities are aimed at making normal life in major cities—particularly in the Ukrainian capital—as difficult as possible. Plus, to sow fear and panic," Musienko said, citing the strikes on gas stations as an example.
According to him, the current situation resembles October–November 2022, when Ukraine faced the challenge of “Russian-Iranian or Iranian ‘Shaheeds’” used by Russia. Later, mobile fire teams and interceptor drones appeared.
“The situation is similar now in the sense that it will take some time for more tools to become available to intercept this specific type of weaponry,” the military officer noted.
Countermeasures and Challenges for Kyiv
Musienko added that artillery and missile air defense systems are working to shoot down these drones. At the same time, the challenge—especially for Kyiv—lies in the geography and flight path of Russian drones, which run along the border with Belarus and then follow the course of the Kyiv Reservoir and the Dnipro River.
“Their passage near the border with Belarus makes it difficult to intercept them there, because the proximity to the border with Russia puts our aviation operations at risk due to air defense systems located in the Bryansk region, in particular,” he explained.
In addition, the military official noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are taking measures to block the airspace at drone launch sites.
“In addition, there is an active search for storage sites and launch pads for these drones on Russian territory. This particularly applies to the Bryansk, Oryol, and Rostov regions, from where the enemy launches these drones from the south,” Musienko said.
What We Need to Fight Back
According to him, Ukraine needs additional aircraft. In particular, we are awaiting F-16 fighter jets and the corresponding weapons systems.
We also need to strengthen our air defense, including our anti-aircraft missile forces, which operate ground-based systems.
“So that in certain areas, when the threat is quite significant and there are large groups of drones, we would be able to shoot down not only cruise missiles but also jet-powered drones using ground-based air defense systems,” the military officer explained.
In addition, he says, the small-scale air defense system needs to be revised to include man-portable air defense systems and short-range air defense systems, which, under certain conditions, can shoot down jet-powered drones.
Oleksandr Musienko, a military expert and servicemember of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke about this on Radio NV.
