Ukraine has most experience worldwide in employing air defense systems - Deputy Defense Minister

Today, Ukraine is a world leader in terms of experience gained in the use of air defense capabilities.

That’s according to Deputy Defense Minister Volodymyr Havrylov, who spoke on the air of the Ukrinform: Evening Stream show.

"From the point of view of experience in the use of air defense, I think we are No. 1. We have so many air defense complexes and systems that there is no such thing anywhere in the world. And the efficiency of their use remains really high. See, in air defense, if you have 50% efficiency, it's already a great success, but when we have 70-80% as we do now, it's not just our success, it’s some kind of miracle," Havrylov emphasized.

At the same time, he noted that this statement should not be self-assuring as the nation is yet to find a way to firmly protect the sky from ballistic missiles.

The deputy minister also recalled that the aggressor state has been using the entire range of available weapons against Ukraine.

"Russia is using against us the entire range of what they have in stock, starting with simple Shahed-type drones and ending with Kinzhal and Iskander-type ballistic missiles. Within this spectrum are also cruise missiles of different velocities and launch bases. Each of these targets has its own peculiarities and for each target, there’s a separate set of tools to destroy it, and we are making good progress toward destroying everything below the level of ballistic targets. Ballistic targets require really hi-end capabilities," Havrylov noted.

He added that the effective defense of the Ukrainian sky is not only about a sufficient number of air defense equipment and ammunition but also about situational awareness. To this end, Ukraine’s military has to be aware of where each missile is flying from, what type is it, and how can it be downed with an inexpensive missile, and to this end, Ukraine needs additional radars, sensors, early detection systems, etc.

As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, during which the parties discussed the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense capabilities with more anti-aircraft missile systems.