Ukraine's Air Force explains how to shoot down Iranian drones deployed by Russia
TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022, 21:20
As of late 20 September, Ukraine’s defence forces have confirmed several cases of Russians using Iranian UAVs. Efficiency of this weapon is being analysed, and the counteraction to it is being developed.
Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force Command, in a comment for Ukrainska Pravda
Details: There are two confirmed cases where Shahed-136 kamikaze drones have been shot down by the units of the Air Force or other units of defence forces of Ukraine.
Ihnat explained that Shahed 136 is barely visible on radars; it’s a relatively small aerial target that flies mainly at a low altitude. It can be shot down with different air defence systems, or even small arms. But the best options in this case would be anti-aircraft guns or, for example, such air defence systems as Ukraine’s ZSU-23-4 Shylka or Germany’s Gepard.
Such drones can be taken down with electronic warfare systems, too.
According to the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, currently, there’s no telling how efficient Shahed-136 is at the moment. It’s also uncertain whether it has been the only kind of UAVs Iran provided Russia with, or if there are others.
Background: The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down a Su-25 ground attack jet in Kherson Oblast and a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone in Mykolaiv Oblast on the evening of 20 September.
On 13 September, Ukrainian forces confirmed the first downing of an Iranian-manufactured drone, Shahed-136, which had been purchased by Russia; the Ukrainian defenders shot it down near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.
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