Ukraine remade air defence, but Russia has changed its attacks
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Ukrainian forces largely reserve the Patriots for trying to stop only the fastest-moving ballistic missiles.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Siobhan O’Grady, Liubov Sholudko
- Ukraine adapted its Patriot air defence tactics to conserve interceptors and target only the fastest ballistic missiles amid constant Russian attacks and limited supplies.
- Russian missile barrages have intensified, overwhelming Ukraine's defences and causing civilian casualties despite some successful interceptions of cruise missiles.
- Ukraine urgently seeks US approval to produce more Patriot systems domestically, while developing its own defences, but resupply shortages and ongoing attacks continue to threaten lives.
AI generated
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian troops returned home from training in the United States and Germany three years ago adept at the standard way of using the Patriot system so critical to air defences. But with limited supplies and non-stop Russian barrages, they quickly realised they would need to rewrite the rules.
So, the Ukrainians started to experiment.
