Latest news with #UkrainianAirForceCommand
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine needs to prepare for increase in number of Russian drones during attacks
Ukraine should be prepared for a further increase in the number of Russian drones during attacks, in particular, up to 1,000 Russian drones in a single attack. Source: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, on the air during the national joint 24/7 newscast "We need to be ready for an increase [in the number of drones during attack - ed.] because this is the tendency," Yurii Ihnat said. Details: Ihnat said that Russia is already using up to 500 drones per night and that thousands of drones at once are likely. Quote from Ihnat: "It is possible to talk about 1,000 [Russian drones – ed.], but for now we have what I mentioned regarding these dates [previous large-scale attacks - ed.]. The enemy is already deploying up to 500 [drones per night – ed.]." Background: The Russians launched 215 aerial attack assets to strike Ukraine on the night of 6-7 June, with 174 of them failing to reach their targets. On the night of 31 May–1 June, Russia attacked Ukraine with a record 479 aerial weapons. Air defences destroyed three Russian cruise missiles and 210 drones, while 172 UAVs disappeared from radar. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ukraine needs about 200 aircraft for effective defence – Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson
Ukraine needs about 200 aircraft of various types to repel the Russian aggression effectively. Source: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (translation is coming soon) Quote from Ihnat: "The aircraft themselves should be of different types. The F-16 is a multipurpose aircraft. It can operate in the sky and against air, ground and surface targets. There are specific and different tasks in aviation, as I have just mentioned. Estimates have been made of how many types of aircraft are needed. Well, about 200 for effective defence of the country." Details: Ihnat says that in the early 90s, there were about a thousand aircraft in Ukraine, but this was the total number of flying and non-flying aircraft. The Soviet Union was building up a grouping of nuclear forces and tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The same Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were in Poltava Oblast. There were also many frontline aircraft and bombers in Dubno and Starokostiantyniv. This was a huge aircraft grouping to be directed to the West in case of emergency, Ihnat explains. However, some warplanes rotted away in the 1990s and early 2000s, and some were sold to Africa and other countries. Therefore, the spokesman stressed that efficiency today is not measured by quantity but by modernisation and innovation. Background: Even before Ukraine received F-16 fighters, Colonel Ihnat noted that Ukraine needed up to 200 multipurpose aircraft to defend its skies. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
This should be taken as normal – Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson about losses and effectiveness of F-16 jets
Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, has confirmed the loss of three F-16 fighters, noting that such losses are inevitable in the context of active hostilities. Source: Yurii Ihnat in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (translation is coming soon) Quote from Yurii Ihnat: "We have seen reports about the loss of aircraft – this should be taken as normal. Unfortunately, there are losses in the war, including F-16s. With such intense fighting, it is clear that there can be losses. We are building up [the capabilities]." Details: Ihnat noted that the Air Force of Ukraine received F-16 fighters that were already in use. However, even in this condition, these aircraft are much more effective than the Soviet weapons that Ukraine used to employ. Ihnat stressed that the aircraft's combat effectiveness depends not only on the platform itself but also on the radar it is equipped with and the missiles it can use. "An aircraft is a platform. Then, it is important to know what is under its wings and what kind of radar it has. The radar has to see far away; the missile has to fly far away, accurately. At the final stage of flight, it's a matter of firing and not keeping track of it. The active homing head should look for the Russian aircraft itself, etc." However, the colonel said, Russia currently maintains an advantage in target detection range, and its missiles have a longer range than the F-16. In addition, Russian aviation operates in close cooperation with powerful air defence systems. Ihnat also noted that before the arrival of the F-16s, the ratio of forces in the air was approximately one to ten, not in favour of Ukraine. He compared the technical difference between Ukrainian and Russian aircraft to the difference between a Makarov pistol and a sniper rifle, noting that despite this, Ukrainian pilots were able to fight back. Background: On 16 May, Ukraine's Air Force lost an F-16 aircraft. A pilot encountered an emergency situation on board while repelling a Russian aerial attack but managed to steer the aircraft away from a populated area and successfully ejected. In August 2024, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that an F-16 fighter jet crashed while repelling a Russian missile strike and the pilot was killed. At that time, it was reported that pilot Oleksii Mes had been killed. On 12 April, 26-year-old pilot Pavlo Ivanov was killed while performing a combat mission on an F-16 aircraft. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russians upgrade Iskander-M missiles with radar traps – Ukraine's Air Force
Russian forces have upgraded their Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Source: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, speaking on the national joint 24/7 newscast Details: Ihnat explained that the missiles now deploy radar traps, reducing the effectiveness of Patriot air defence systems. Quote from Ihnat: "Missiles attacking along a ballistic trajectory, such as the Iskander-M, have been improved and upgraded. They now deploy radar traps. … These quasi-ballistic missiles follow a complex trajectory, manoeuvring during flight rather than following a straight path and falling. This makes it harder for the Patriot system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, to calculate the point of interception." Background: On the night of 23-24 May, Russian forces launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones on Ukraine. Six ballistic missiles and 128 drones were shot down, while 117 drones disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia attacks Ukraine with 128 drones and 1 ballistic missile overnight: 112 drones fail to reach target
Russian forces attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile, 128 Shahed loitering munitions and various types of decoy drones on the night of 21-22 May. Source: Ukrainian Air Force Command Details: As of 11:00, Ukrainian air defence units destroyed 112 Russian Shahed-type drones and other UAVs in the east, north, south and centre of the country. Ukrainian forces destroyed 74 drones with air defence systems, while 38 drones disappeared from radar/were suppressed by electronic warfare (causing no adverse effects). The Russians launched the Iskander-M ballistic missile from the Russian city of Taganrog. In addition, the drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and temporarily occupied Crimea. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
