Up to 200 Shaheds daily: Syrskyi details how Ukraine repels Russia’s air assaults

Russian forces use between 100 and 200 Shahed-type attack UAVs every day to strike Ukrainian territory. Aviation, helicopters, and interceptor drones are deployed to counter them, making it possible to destroy about 70% of airborne attack assets.

As reported by an Ukrinform correspondent, this was stated by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi during a briefing with the media.

“Every day, the enemy employs between 100 and 200 Shahed-type attack UAVs and periodically carries out massive missile and air strikes. The Ukrainian Defense Forces implement a comprehensive set of countermeasures to destroy aerial targets. In difficult weather conditions, the primary and most effective means remain anti-aircraft missile troops, which are all-weather capable,” Syrskyi noted.

He added that under favorable weather conditions, aviation, helicopters, and interceptor drones are actively involved in countering enemy Shaheds. This makes it possible to destroy 70%, and in some cases even more, of all airborne attack assets.

The Commander-in-Chief also said that a set of organizational measures is underway to increase the effectiveness of the UAV component of air defense. In particular, a redistribution of functions is planned between anti-aircraft missile troops and a new branch of forces that will be responsible for protecting critical facilities. At the same time, the number and quality of interceptor drones are being increased.

According to Syrskyi, active cooperation with partners is currently ongoing to ensure the supply of missiles for anti-aircraft missile systems and fighter aircraft in order to maintain the necessary level of air defense capabilities.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on February 2, Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, said that one of the most serious challenges today is Shahed drones flying in the hundreds.

Photo: Press Service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine