The spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andrii Demchenko, reported that as Ukraine’s border with Russia is extensive, stretching 1,974.05 kilometers of land, Russian forces are actively seeking new routes to launch drones deeper into Ukrainian territory through the most unprotected parts of the border, according to UkrInform.
According to Demchenko, Ukrainian mobile fire teams, including Border Guard Service units, are working to intercept and destroy drones launched along these new routes.
“To date, mobile fire teams of the State Border Guard Service have shot down more than 300 Russian drones during the war. These include both strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Most of them are Shaheds, and most were neutralized over the past year,” Demchenko said.
He also noted that during drone attacks on Ukrainian territory, Russian forces frequently use decoys to divert the attention of primary air defense systems.
“Along the border with Belarus, such incidents are far less frequent. Most drone incursions come from Russian territory, particularly in the Sumy and Chernihiv directions. The Russians are also actively launching aerial attacks or diversionary drones along the southern axis,” he added.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that from 20 to 26 January, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted more than 500 Russian drones.
Ukrainian air defenses down over 500 Russian drones over week
The interception breakdown includes two guided air missiles, 375 Shahed-type long-range one-way-attack drones, 71 reconnaissance UAVs, and 59 UAVs of various other types.
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