Ukrainian pilots 'forced to take risks' as Russian jet-powered drones strain missile supplies
"Intense air battles are currently underway, as the enemy launches round-the-clock attacks," Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force communications department, told the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian pilots are compelled to risk using aircraft cannons to engage Russian jet-powered drones due to a scarcity of air-to-air missiles for their fighter jets, according to Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force communications department. In recent weeks, Russia has significantly escalated the number of jet-powered attack drones it deploys, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of nearly constant assaults.
The ongoing intense air battles stem from the enemy's continuous barrage of missiles and drones. Ihnat reported that Russia launched around 1,500 jet-powered drones in July and 2,800 in August. While Ukraine has successfully utilized interceptor drones to neutralize older, piston-engined Russian attack drones, the more recent jet-powered versions, flying at roughly twice the speed, pose a fresh challenge.
Ukraine's fighter jets, including MiG-29s, F-16s, and Mirage 2000s, are being deployed to counter these drones. However, due to a shortage of missiles, Ukrainian pilots are compelled to take risks and rely on aircraft cannons. This maneuver requires expert precision as they must identify the optimal firing point when the target is moving at speeds surpassing 400 km/h.
Russia's attacks on Kyiv resumed shortly after a brief lull, coinciding with the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to the capital. On Sept. 10, a jet-powered drone injured four individuals and caused damage to a gas station in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. The day prior, Russian jet-powered drones targeted residential buildings and other sites throughout Kyiv, resulting in one death and at least 17 injuries, including two children.
On Sept. 8, a concentrated Russian missile and drone assault on the capital claimed five lives and injured 35, with widespread fires ensuing. Russia has previously exploited drone strikes on gas stations to disrupt fuel and logistical supplies, notably in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. By August, this tactic had expanded to central regions, with numerous gas stations targeted across the summer.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
