Last winter became one of the toughest tests for Ukraine’s air defense system. Over the course of three winter months, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), in coordination with the Defense Forces, repelled 14 large-scale combined attacks.
“From December to January, the enemy carried out seven massive strikes using missiles and drones of various types. In February, the intensity of attacks doubled—Ukraine withstood another seven large-scale assaults. The enemy combined strikes with attack UAVs and missiles of different types, attempting to complicate the air situation, overload the air defense system, and exhaust our resources,” the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel Monday morning.
It was noted that the Russian forces are systematically increasing the use of both standard ballistic missiles, such as the Iskander-M, and missiles that approach targets along ballistic trajectories, including types like Kinzhal, Zircon, Kh-22/32, and S-300/S-400.
“In total, over the three months, the aggressor launched more than 700 missiles of various types. Despite these challenges, the Ukrainian sky held firm. The energy system was preserved thanks to the professionalism of the surface-to-air missile troops, mobile fire units, radar troops, and aviation. Every intercepted missile is proof that we have become stronger, more technologically advanced, and more experienced,” the statement emphasized.
The Air Force also noted that the Russian forces are preparing new attacks, “but every unit of our air defense is in a state of full combat readiness.”
“The Ukrainian army is now one of the strongest and most experienced in the world. Still, our defenders need the support of partners, particularly a regular supply of missiles for air defense, aviation, and other weapons, to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones,” the Air Force statement concluded.
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