Operators of Western-supplied air defence systems not being transferred to infantry, air defence capabilities unaffected – Ukraine's Air Force

In response to an article by the Guardian, Ukraine's Air Force clarified that operators of Western-supplied air defence systems who have undergone training abroad are not being reassigned to infantry units. The Air Force also stressed that the effectiveness of air defence remains unchanged despite the deployment of its specialists to infantry roles.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, acting Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, on Facebook

Details: Ihnat confirmed that all branches and services of Ukraine's Armed Forces, including the Air Force, send people to units and subunits of the Ground Forces, which is "a well-known fact". He also confirmed that "the transfer to the infantry poses issues with personnel within the Air Force".

At the same time, he denied claims that Ukraine's air defence had become less effective or that operators of Western-supplied air defence systems trained abroad were being reassigned to the infantry.

Quote: "Air defence is a system of air defence of the state, which includes units of all the defence forces capable of engaging aerial targets, and [it consists of] infantry, sailors, helicopter pilots...

Everything is being shot down as before. The effectiveness of air defences against enemy UAVs remains at 95%, factoring in both those shot down and those that either crash on their own or are disabled by electronic warfare, often referred to as 'disappearing from radar'. As for missiles, the success rate is lower due to the increasing use of ballistic missiles...

And the key point: I have just confirmed with the personnel centre that no servicemen trained abroad on systems such as Patriot, NASAMS, or Iris-T have ever been sent to the infantry. There was one such case, but it was due to specific circumstances."

Details: To sum up, Ihnat stated that while the Air Force indeed assigns personnel to the infantry, it is not true that operators of Western-supplied air defence systems trained abroad are being sent to the infantry. He also emphasised that air defence remains as effective as ever in shooting down Russian-launched Shahed loitering munitions.

Meanwhile, the officer noted that the Air Force is a high-tech branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces, with many people of unique specialities and extensive experience, and there will be no one to replace them.

"Therefore, the transfer to the Ground Forces is a rather painful process for the Air Force, this applies to both combat brigades and support units," he added.

Background:

• On 21 December, the Guardian posted an article that cited officials in Ukrainian air defence units and said that the shortage of personnel at the front in Ukraine has become so acute that the General Staff has ordered "already-depleted air defence units" to release more men to be sent to the front as infantry.
• One source noted that "it’s reaching a critical level where we can’t be sure that air defence can function properly". The source added that some of the Ukrainian soldiers were trained in the West and had real skills, and now they are being sent to the front as infantrymen without any relevant training.
• Ukraine's General Staff responded to the Guardian's article by saying that the claim that "air defence personnel are being transferred to infantry [units] is untrue and incorrect", though it admitted that some personnel are indeed being transferred to different units.

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