Ukrainians say Russian drones are a growing threat, more Stingers needed | – #Ukrainians #Russian #drones #growing #threat #Stingers #needed
WEST OF SOLEDAR, UkraineMarch 23 (Reuters) – Russia forces over the hotly contested city of Bakhmut weather is increasingly using drones in its battles, but the threat from fighter jets and helicopters remains and more Western weapons are needed to counter them, Ukraine said the soldiers.
In a small village north of Bakhmut, west of Soledar, now under Russian control, of Ukraine 10Troops of the anti-aircraft unit of the Mountain Assault Brigade planned to use drones to attack Russian positions.
“Recently, we have seen a lot of activity by enemy reconnaissance aircraft,” a member of the unit, which goes by the call sign Kamin, which means “Stone,” told Reuters on Thursday. He refused to reveal his real name.
“The business of (regular) aviation has decreased. I can’t say that it has disappeared at all, but it has decreased. Maybe it’s because we work well.”
42-year-old Kamin told Reuters that the unit was on the front line Ukraine showed some shoulder weapons that he used to reduce the threat of aircraft and helicopter attacks on his positions.
“The main task for us is not necessarily to shoot down the plane, but to let the pilot know we are here,” he said in the cramped control room inside a small bungalow.
“If we shoot something at them, they get scared, and there’s a big difference between firing a missile from one to two kilometers and six to seven kilometers from a plane.”
“Chub”, who served in the same unit earlier this month, killed Pior, a shoulder-bearer in Poland, on March 9 in the Bachmut region. weather belonging to Russia using the anti-attack system SU-25 said he shot down his plane. Reuters could not independently verify his account.
“The plane flew into our area of responsibility… and the plane was destroyed,” – of Ukraine said a 34-year-old from the occupied southern city of Mariupol.
“It’s not often that they fly into our kill zone… It’s very hard work and it takes a lot of time,” he added. “We are like hunters waiting for prey. We sit for a long time, sometimes for months. But it happens in some rare moments.”
‘WE NEED STINGERS’
According to Kami, the unit did not have enough anti-drone weapons to protect them from the growing threat, while the Russians appeared to have more. He took an American sniper rifle, which he said could be effective against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The unit recently acquired a Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle that is ready to be deployed on the battlefield. It was capable of carrying eight grenades.
Drones of Ukraine military becomes an increasingly important part of their plans, and the second year of full-scale war is over. Russia although it has greater resources, both in terms of soldiers and equipment, Kyiv believes that this is one area where drone innovation can begin to catch up with Moscow.
“Now it’s a drone war,” Kamin said. “The Russians used reconnaissance drones, but now they use more weapons-carrying drones.”
Despite the increased focus on UAVs, Kamin has urged Western allies to acquire more anti-aircraft weapons, including weapons that he says are running out. USA Called for Stingers to supply.
According to him, those with thermal vision have been particularly effective because they help Ukrainian forces detect enemy aircraft that cannot be seen with the naked eye unless they are close to them.
“I want more Stingers,” he said.
United States, Europe and other allies invade Ukraine Russia tens of billions to prevent their forces dollars worth military They sent equipment.
While this has largely worked so far, some Ukrainian officers and officers they say they are running out of weapons and ammunition, including artillery shells.
Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Edited by Alex Richardson
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2023-03-23 22:27:13
Source – reuters
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