The Ukrainian Armed Forces are effectively taking down Russian drones using British Rapid Ranger air defense systems
Ukrainian forces are demonstrating high effectiveness in combating Russian drones thanks to the use of British Rapid Ranger anti-aircraft missile systems. The system is capable of detecting aerial targets at ranges of up to 15 kilometers.
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
The system is equipped with a modern 360° optical-electronic surveillance system and can also be fitted with long-range infrared sensors and tracking radars. This allows it to operate both autonomously and as part of a unified air defense network.
One of the key features is the use of laser-guided LMM Martlet missiles. This technology makes it possible to effectively destroy targets with a low thermal signature or those using thermal decoys.
In particular, the system successfully engages Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones, which are difficult to detect using conventional means.
The Rapid Ranger has a relatively low weight—about 500 kg—and a modular design, allowing it to be mounted on various types of vehicles, including pickup trucks, armored vehicles, or tracked platforms.
In the Ukrainian Armed Forces, these systems are mounted on Spanish URO VAMTAC tactical off-road vehicles, which can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h and quickly change positions.
LMM Martlet missiles are approximately 1.3 meters long and weigh about 13 kg. They can accelerate to speeds of 1,800 km/h and engage targets at ranges of up to 7 km.
The Rapid Ranger air defense system strengthens Ukraine’s short-range air defense capabilities, filling the gap between mobile fire groups and heavy stationary systems.
On the night of April 21, Russia launched a massive airstrike on Ukraine, deploying 143 attack drones and two ballistic missiles.
On the night of April 21, Russian forces launched a drone strike on the city of Sumy. The attack damaged residential neighborhoods and a medical facility, injuring 15 people, including children.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out 725 strikes on 39 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region. Two people were killed and ten others were injured as a result of attacks on Zaporizhzhia and the Zaporizhzhia district.
On the evening of April 20, two local residents were killed in an attack by an enemy FPV drone on Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The strike damaged high-rise buildings, private homes, and vehicles.
