Ukraine appoints new commander for small air defense units
The Ukrainian Air Force has appointed a new commander for small air defense units as the nation grapples with an alarming uptick in drone attacks from Russia. Spokesman Yuriy Ihnat emphasized the critical importance of this strategic area, especially given the aggressor’s increased use of strike drones, including reactive models.
According to Ihnat, Russia launched approximately 350 reactive drones against Ukraine in June 2026. This number escalated to 1500 in July and skyrocketed to over 2800 in August, demonstrating a troubling trend in enemy drone production. To counter this threat, Ukraine is mobilizing all available resources, including fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems, alongside electronic warfare capabilities.
“The small air defense units, comprising mobile fire groups and interceptor drone crews, remain integral to our comprehensive air defense system. There are still plenty of aerial targets to engage, given the presence of reconnaissance drones and various types of strike drones that have not disappeared from the battlefield,” noted Ihnat.
Ihnat described the changes in military leadership as a normal and ongoing process in wartime, highlighting that new commanders often come from ranks of individuals who have proven effective in combat and possess firsthand battlefield experience. This includes the newly appointed commander of small air defense forces, Oleksandr Dmukhovskyi, who previously led one of the top missile artillery regiments, achieving high success rates in downing enemy drones.
- Small air defense units are the lower echelon of air defense, tasked with engaging targets at low altitudes and ranges, particularly strike drones. They include mobile fire groups equipped with machine guns and anti-aircraft systems.
- In March 2026, the command of drone systems was reorganized into a command dedicated to direct air defense operations, responsible for developing and modernizing small air defense capabilities.
- Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, revealed that Russia is recalibrating its drone production to focus on turbojet models.
- On August 28, presidential office deputy head Pavlo Palisa stated that the Russian military would continue to ramp up strikes using reactive drones.
- Defense technology advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Serhiy Beskrestnov, indicated that Russia has begun launching reactive Shahed drones almost directly from the factory.
