Unarmed and exhausted: a night with a Ukrainian air defence squad
Ukraine’s Air‑Defence Units Battle Russia’s Long‑Range Drones
In the night sky over eastern Ukraine, the hum of missile launches grows louder. The bright flashes of explosions paint sunflower fields beneath a toxic, gunpowder‑laden air.
“There! Three kilometres away!” – A Ukrainian Serviceman’s Call
- The warning comes from a soldier stationed in a Soviet‑era air‑defence unit tasked with intercepting Russian drones before they hit towns and cities.
- Russia’s long‑range, Iranian‑origin unmanned aerial vehicles have been devastating the country since the early stages of the invasion in early 2022.
- State television has showcased Moscow’s industrial‑scale production of these inexpensive weapons, dubbing the country the world’s largest drone factory.
July Night: A Drone Barrage Reaches New Height
During a July night patrol in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian forces launched 344 drones, yet the largest barrage comprised over 700. “It’s rotten tonight, just like the day before,” one serviceman remarked, leaning over a radar.
Advanced Gerans Fly Altitudes, Yet Ukrainian Units Still Use Old Weapons
Gerans, the triangular, jet‑black drones, now cruise higher and in any direction. Vasyl, a 49‑year‑old operator, informs AFP that his unit relies on short‑range, old‑style weaponry. “They fly chaotically and unpredictably. It has become harder to destroy them,” he says.
“Nothing we can do” – The Reality of Ukrainian Air Defence
Oleksandr, a fellow serviceman near Pavlograd, surveys a radar displaying hundreds of red dots. “There’s nothing we can do. It’s not our area,” he states, lighting a cigarette while his 20‑year‑old daughter remains silent.
Ukraine Seeks Low‑Cost Interceptors
President Volodymyr Zelensky has acquired several Patriot batteries from allies and is pushing for funding for 10 more. However, Ukraine is prioritising cheap interceptor drones to replace units such as Vasyl’s, and is hoarding up to 1,000 drones per day.
Sleep Deprivation Takes a Physical Toll on Air‑Defence Teams
Vasyl reports two hours of average sleep, or four on a good night. Absent sleep between drone waves, he reveals that the deprivation harms his physical health. Another unit in Donetsk, known as Wolf, admits chronic insomnia stemming from grim memories in eastern Ukraine.
Bullying and Rehabilitation
Belyi, a miner who sustained a concussion and hand injury in combat, works beside Wolf. Both have yet to receive leave after two years and are on a constant grind of seven days a week, with no respite. In the early morning near Pavlograd, their dark circles are mirrored by new drone origins distorting the horizon.
Modern Weapons or “People and Modern Weapons”?
As the anti‑aircraft gun fires, the team resorts to WWII‑era machine guns in a blind attempt to deter the drones. One more Russian drone, the “Gerbera”, overwhelms air‑defence systems prior to targeting Vasyl’s team. “Only fools are not afraid. Really,” he shouts, showing a photograph of his blond‑haired children now living in Kyiv.
In the end, he states, “I’m here for them.” The struggle persists as Ukraine battles a sophisticated and fierce aerial onslaught, seeking both strategic respiration and continuity of defence.
