Ukraine's Skynex system destroyed 12 aerial targets in a single engagement
The Ukrainian Skynex anti-aircraft artillery system destroyed 12 aerial targets during a single air defense engagement. Reports on the system’s effectiveness come amid efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and repel attacks by Russian drones.
According to Andriy, the commander of an anti-aircraft artillery battery in the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, his battery has destroyed two cruise missiles and approximately 35 enemy Shahed-type UAVs.
“In a single air battle, we managed to destroy 12 enemy aerial targets: one cruise missile and 11 Shahed-type UAVs. But what I remember most is the work on the cruise missiles,” Andriy shares.
During the full-scale war, Andriy participated in the defense of Chernihiv, fought in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia sectors, as well as in the Kursk region of Russia. After sustaining injuries and concussions, he continued his service in an air defense unit, where he mastered the latest Skynex air defense system.
“I trained on-site with soldiers who had undergone training abroad. Later, we deployed with one of the batteries to a combat position. And I essentially learned on the job,” the officer explains.
For his courage and dedication to Ukraine, Andriy was awarded the Order “For Courage” (3rd Class), the Medal “For the Defense of Chernihiv,” the Air Force Cross, and the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine.”
In November 2025, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced that Ukraine had received all the promised Skynex air defense systems from Germany as part of military aid.
According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using four Skynex anti-aircraft artillery systems, the transfer of which was announced after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, reports the “West” Air Command of the Ukrainian Air Force.
As a reminder, the Ministry of Defense will recover 617 million hryvnias through the courts for canceled contracts.
Recently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine certified and approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine three fiber-optic FPV systems manufactured by enterprises of JSC "Ukrainian Defense Industry."
Prior to this, the Ministry of Defense had certified and approved the domestic "Volynaka" unmanned aerial system for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine approved the Shablya MK19(M) remotely controlled combat module for use by the military. It is equipped with an MK19 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
