The Crucial Role of Air Defence in Ukraine

Ukraine is effectively shooting down Russian missiles with the help of Western air defence systems.

On the evening of 26 July, the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out one of the largest missile attacks on Ukraine. Three Kalibr ballistic missiles and 33 X-101/X-555 ballistic missiles were used. In addition, 4 hypersonic missile systems X-47 "Kinzhal" flew in the direction of the airfield in Starokonstantinov in Khmelnytskyi region. All the above missiles and 8 Iranian Shahed-136 drones were destroyed by air defence systems. This is the best proof that the Ukrainian army effectively uses modern air defence systems. Their shortage will cause casualties and destruction, which is especially relevant given the imminent missile strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces against Ukraine's energy infrastructure as we prepare for the onset of colder weather.

Four Russian Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, which Russian propaganda claims "have no analogues", were shot down in Khmelnytskyi Region on 26 July. Russia does not skimp on using the most expensive types of missiles in order to cause the maximum damage to Ukraine. In turn, this confirms the effectiveness of Western air defence systems, which shoot down all Russian missiles without exception, even the most modern ones.

Russia will continue the war and is looking for additional arms supplies - Shoigu's visit to North Korea is a direct confirmation of this. The Russian Aerospace Forces have changed their tactics and now their goal is to carry out pinpoint strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure facilities - military and non-military. It is predictable that such strikes will become more frequent in the run-up to this winter. The strategy of missile swarms, tested by Russia during attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports, gives an idea of the tactics the Russians will use already this autumn against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Every major Ukrainian city must be protected by a multi-level air defence system - it is a matter of saving the lives of thousands of Ukrainians. The West's continued help is desperately needed - if Putin's tyranny is not stopped in Ukraine his next target will be to roll forward into Europe.