Ukraine’s air defense system continues to operate under extremely challenging conditions, protecting the country from daily threats, according to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The air defense system functions in extraordinarily difficult conditions of constant enemy missile and drone attacks, defending the country from a daily aerial threat,” Syrskyi said.
He emphasized that the system’s resilience depends on multiple factors, including the regular supply of weapons, technological upgrades, effective personnel and management decisions, rapid adaptation to new challenges, and the elimination of outdated bureaucratic practices.
Over the past two years, Syrskyi reported, the air defense system has maintained an effectiveness rate of around 74%, which Ukraine is striving to increase through innovations.
“Every day, the enemy uses between 100 and 200 Shahed-type attack drones and periodically carries out mass missile and airstrikes,” he added.
In adverse weather conditions, Syrskyi noted, the most reliable and effective defense remains the all-weather surface-to-air missile troops. Under favorable conditions, aviation, helicopters, and interceptor drones are also actively deployed. These combined measures allow Ukraine to destroy 70 percent—and in some cases even more—of incoming aerial threats.
The commander highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the system’s drone component.
“We are increasing the number and quality of interceptor drones, redistributing functions between the surface-to-air missile troops and a new branch responsible for protecting critical sites, and actively coordinating with partners to address missile shortages for our air defense systems and fighter aircraft,” he said.
Syrskyi’s remarks underscore Ukraine’s continued focus on technological adaptation and strategic innovation to maintain air superiority despite the scale and intensity of Russian aerial attacks.
