Yurii Ihnat
In August, Russia carried out around 2,800 attacks with jet-powered drones, compared with 350 in June. Air defense response time has been reduced from 60 to six seconds.
The enemy attacked the Odesa region on the night of September 1, using attack UAVs, jet-powered drones, and guided aerial bombs. As a result of the Russian attack on the night of September 1, the main and auxiliary equipment of the Odesa CHP plant was damaged. Power supply disruptions began in Odesa that same day.
In Kyiv’s Podilskyi District, a drone struck a building at the level of the 14th–15th floors and caused a fire. Three people are in hospital.
The police advise going to a shelter immediately during an air raid alert or following the two-wall rule. Do not hide near gas stations, in elevators, or in basements.
In July, the enemy used five times more jet-powered UAVs than in June. The use of KAB-«Banderol» munitions also increased.
The military leadership decided to restrict data on ballistic missiles in morning reports during massive attacks. Online information about aerial targets is provided around the clock.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat urged Ukrainian media not to use headlines about "missiles not intercepted," as this plays into the enemy's hands. He emphasized that presenting information in this way fuels pessimism among the population.
Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat stated the likelihood of Russia using KN-23 missiles during the night attack on Ukraine. There is currently no confirmation of the use of these missiles.
Yurii Ihnat stated that the Russian strike in the Kyiv region hit a private sports complex, not a training ground. He emphasized that the facility is not connected to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
A Russian attack drone with real-time control channels crossed the border of Romania, a NATO country. The spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggests that this could have been intentional.
Spokesperson of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat warned that the enemy has accumulated missiles, so in the coming days one should respond to air raid signals as much as possible. He emphasized that ballistic missiles are very fast and dangerous.
Spokesperson of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat stated about the ban on public events in the military due to security. He emphasized the need for civilians to comply with security requirements in wartime conditions.
Yurii Ihnat stated there is a shortage of air defense missiles due to intensive shelling. Currently, Patriot and NASAMS launchers remain half-empty.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 14 large-scale shellings during the winter period. Air defense systems destroy enemy drones and missiles daily.
Over 400 enemy drones and the takeoff of Tu-95 and Tu-160MS bombers were recorded in the sky. UAV groups are moving through the central and southern regions.
Ukrainian interceptor drones destroy every third enemy drone. The main challenge remains Russian drones such as "Shaheds", "Gerberas" and "Italmas".
Rumors about American pilots with combat experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East, who are now performing combat missions in Ukraine, were spread by foreign media.
On the night of January 24, Russia used 12 Kh-22 missiles, with a warhead mass of 950 kg. These missiles were previously used against aircraft carrier groups and can carry various charges.
Most of the 34 cruise missiles shot down during the night attack of the Russian Federation on December 23 were intercepted by F-16 aircraft. Three "Kinzhal" missiles did not reach their targets, although they were not intercepted by Patriot.
During Russia's night attack on November 25, Ukrainian air defense actively operated, engaging interceptor drones, army aviation, aircraft, and mobile fire groups. Thanks to the coordinated work of all defense forces, a large number of missiles and drones were intercepted, including ballistic missiles and the "Kinzhal."
During the attack on Ternopil on November 19, Russian occupiers could have used a strategic X-101 air-to-surface cruise missile, Yuriy Ihnat reported. As a result of the enemy attack, 16 people were killed and 64 were injured.
Ihnat commented on the use of the Zircon missile by Russian military forces, noting Russia's attempts to "achieve some result. "
During the night attack, Ukrainian air defense destroyed six out of nine ballistic missiles, including Iskander-M, Iskander-K, and KN-23, as well as over 400 Shahed attack drones. The attack caused destruction and resulted in the death of four people and injuries to 27 people in Kyiv.
Ukrainian military near Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, shot down a rare Russian reconnaissance drone "Knyaz Veshchiy Oleg". This drone can be used to counter measures taken by Ukrainian defenders.
Ukrainian specialists have been tracking the improvement of enemy weapons since October 2022. "Shaheds" have undergone significant changes, and missiles are being equipped with thermal traps.
Yurii Ihnat reported that guided aerial bombs with jet engines, used by the Russian Federation, can be intercepted by air defense systems. The "South" Air Command has already confirmed the interception of two such bombs.
Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that the production and transfer of Gripen fighters is a complex and lengthy process. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson believes that the delivery of the aircraft could begin within three years.
Russian troops attacked Ukraine on October 10, using two Kinzhal missiles and 14 Iskander-M or KN-23 ballistic missiles. The main target of the strike was energy infrastructure, which led to power outages in nine regions and Kyiv.
Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force Communications Department, explained that the complexity of shooting down Russian drones and missiles is affected by the enemy's tactical maneuvers and weather conditions. He also noted that the modernization of ballistic missiles complicates the work of Patriot systems.
Yurii Ihnat commented on the possibility of relying on drone and missile flight patterns in social networks. He emphasized that the main requirement is not to harm and not to help the enemy in real time.