Ukraine downs Russian drones but some get through due to gaps in air protection

AP via Yahoo ^ | June 20th, 2023 | SUSIE BLANN

[Mariner]

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian air defenses downed 32 of 35 Shahed exploding drones launched by Russia early Tuesday, most of them in the Kyiv region, officials said, in a bombardment that exposed gaps in the country’s air protection after almost 16 months of war.

Russian forces mostly targeted the region around the Ukrainian capital in a nighttime drone attack lasting around three hours, officials said, but Ukrainian air defenses in the area shot down about two dozen of them.

The attack was part of a wider bombardment of Ukrainian regions that extended as far as the Lviv region in the west of the country, near Poland.

The Shahed drones made it all the way to Lviv because of the inability of air defense assets to cover such a broad area, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.

[Mariner]

Maybe Ukraine is moving short range air defense to the front.

If so, expect to see intensified drone activity over the cities.

[Midwesterner53]

Short range ADA would be good vs the drones, especially something like the old Army Vulcan Gatling gun system that I had as a platoon leader in the late 70s.

[MMusson]

We are rapidly approaching the point where both sides run out of modern weapons and artillery shells.

If that happens is there any alternative to WW1 style trench warfare?

[BobL]

Sounds like the media is softening up the West for the inevitable outcome of this war, which is Russia winning it...otherwise why start admitting this stuff?

[PGR88]

The DC People’s Daily is admitting that the glorious Ukraine Army of proletariate fighters for freedom is facing some difficulties?

[Widget Jr]

APKWS laser guided rockets will get delievered this year. Those should work on the Shahed drones.