Estonian officer: Ukraine intercepts 80% of Russian weapons in record air strikes
Estonian Defense Forces officer Taavi Liias says Ukraine has been intercepting around 80 percent of weapons used in Russia's record combined air attacks on Kyiv, though Moscow's new jet-powered drones pose a growing challenge.
Lieutenant Colonel Taavi Liias of the Estonian Defense Forces said Ukraine has coped surprisingly well with Russia's recent record-breaking combined air attacks on Kyiv and its surrounding areas, according to comments made on the program "Ukraina stuudio."
Liias said roughly 80 percent of all attacking weapons have been shot down. Because Russia combines several types of weapons in these strikes — conventional drones, jet-powered drones, ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles — the attacks test the full range of Ukraine's air defenses, from machine guns to Patriot systems and fighter jets.
Infrastructure remains the target
With so many weapons intercepted, it isn't always clear what Russia is aiming for. Based on what has actually been struck, Liias said Russia still appears focused on damaging Ukraine's heating plants, power stations and water infrastructure, with logistics firms and retail businesses increasingly targeted as well. Schools and hospitals have also come under fire.
A faster, harder-to-stop threat
Russia's jet-powered drones are creating new difficulties. Alongside the Geran-4 and Geran-5 models already in use, Russia has introduced the Banderol S8000, which is now classified as a drone missile rather than a drone. It travels roughly three times faster than earlier models, reaching speeds up to 600 km/h and as much as 700 km/h while descending.
This speed puts these weapons out of reach of Ukraine's mobile air defense teams, which rely on machine guns and anti-aircraft guns. Instead, Ukraine must use air defense missiles, or rely on the brief window during a descent when cheaper weapons can still hit them. Liias said he does not yet know what countermeasure Ukraine might develop, though the war has repeatedly shown new technology being met with a new response roughly once a year.
Patriot missiles seen as critical
Liias stressed the importance of Ukraine again having access to U.S.-made Patriot missiles, which remain one of the only Ukrainian assets capable of intercepting ballistic missiles such as Russia's Iskander. He said continued U.S. supplies of Patriot missiles are essential.
Overall, Ukraine's ability to intercept the large majority of Russian weapons suggests its air defense network is still holding despite the intensifying attacks.
