Defense forces destroy 75% of enemy attack drones on average - Air Force spox

Spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat said this on the air of the nationwide telethon "United News", answering the question of what percentage of Shahed is currently being shot down by the Defense Forces during attacks.

"The percentage varies: sometimes 100%, sometimes less than 50%, unfortunately, because different regions are attacked. We have approximately a 75% rate, if you count the total. Only during the period of attacks on our critical infrastructure in the fall and winter, about 750 kamikaze drones and the same number of cruise missiles were shot down," Ihnat said.

He noted that all the Defense Forces are involved in this process, because it is more rational to shoot down Shahed with cheap and affordable means - with the help of mobile fire groups, small arms, anti-aircraft guns, etc.

Ihnat also said that Russian propaganda often resorts to manipulative statements about the alleged greater security of the capital and the insecurity of other regions in order to sow "betrayal" among Ukrainian citizens. At the same time, he noted that the most critical facilities require more attention and protection.

"Where there are more attacks, there will be more air defense systems - it is logical," said the spokesman.

According to him, there is currently a shortage of air defense systems, so the number of mobile fire groups has to be increased.

"We lack anti-aircraft missile systems of medium and long range, which is why we have to cover the weakest spots where there are fewer air defense systems by increasing the number of mobile firing groups of the entire Defense Forces," Ihnat explained.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on the night of August 2 to 3, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 15 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs launched by the enemy at night from Bryansk region.