Russian Air Defenses Downed Over 42,000 Targets Since Start of Ukraine Conflict, Official Says
10:00 05.07.2024 (Updated: 11:23 05.07.2024)
© Sputnik . Valentin Kapustin
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian air defense forces and air defense means have destroyed more than 42,000 air targets since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Andrey Semenov, commander of the air and missile defense forces and deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, told journalists.
The Russian air defense forces and combat aviation of the Russian aerospace forces have significantly reduced the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces to carry out strikes.
"In total, more than 42,000 air targets have been destroyed by the air defense forces during the special military operation. This includes more than 550 planes, over 180 helicopters, and more than 27,000 UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]," Semenov said.
The commander added that about a third of Ukraine's manned aircraft have been destroyed by short-range air defense systems from forward echelons.
"Short-range missile air defense systems [Strela-10] which, being in the forward echelons of our troops, have also proved their effectiveness by destroying dozens of enemy reconnaissance and strike UAVs every day, as well as attack and army aviation of the Ukrainian armed forces, operating at low and extremely low altitudes. In total, these systems have destroyed a third of the manned aviation of the Ukrainian armed forces," the general said.
The official added, that US-made air defense systems Patriots are incapable of protecting either defended facilities or themselves.
"During the special military operation, high combat capabilities of Russian air defense systems to repel all types of strikes with enemy air attack means have been confirmed, unlike the touted Patriot systems supplied to Ukraine by NATO countries, which turned out, judging by the experience of the military operation, to be unable not only to cover the designated objects but also to resist modern Russian strike means, that is, to protect themselves," the commander noted.
Ukraine uses US-supplied ATACMS missiles not only to strike forces but also to threaten the Russian civilian population, Semenov said.
"Those are equipped with cluster warheads and are used not only against troops but also against civilian facilities to intimidate the population of our country," Semenov said.
The commander added that ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine by the United States move to designated targets at speeds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) while following a complex ballistic trajectory with air combat maneuvering before they hit their target.
