Kyiv’s AI Turrets Provide ‘Last-Level’ Protection, Defense Advisor Says

Kyiv's newly introduced automatic AAA turrets, equipped with artificial intelligence, provide limited protection and should not be considered comprehensive defense for the capital, according to a presidential advisor. The city began deploying these turrets in October following Russian attacks on bridges, and the Ukrainian Air Force has praised their success in downing jet-powered drones.

However, Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov, an electronic warfare analyst and government advisor, stated that these machine gun turrets offer only limited protection in their current form. He emphasized that a turret is not a "city-level" defense, but rather a "site-level" defense, protecting specific locations such as warehouses, production facilities, bridges, or electrical substations.

Beskrestnov likened the turrets to the "last level of defense" when other interception methods fail. The range of protection is primarily determined by the turret's machine guns. These turrets were previously deployed in frontline positions before being introduced to Kyiv in recent weeks as Russia intensifies its drone campaign.

In September, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a record number of jet-powered drones launched against Ukraine, with 3,500 drones fired – a tenfold increase compared to June. The same month also saw intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including passenger trains, gas stations, data centers, and residential buildings in central Kyiv – a relative rarity in the ongoing war that has lasted over four years.

Kyiv is seeking additional 20mm cannon rounds for F-16s to intercept drones and plans to scale up production of small air defense missiles to complement layered air defenses around the capital, though details on the missile type, performance, and production numbers remain unclear.