Drones are more annoying than missiles: a military man talks about the “behind the scenes” of protecting the sky
Date: 2024-07-04 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
For quite a long time, the defenders of the Ukrainian sky have been using MIM-23 HAWK anti-aircraft missile systems, which help them repel missile and drone attacks by Russian occupation forces.
The Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces spoke about a fighter named Alexander, who is an operator of the HAWK air defense system. He has two dozen Shaheds and 4 missiles to his name.
“The 24-year-old warrior has a huge daily responsibility on his shoulders and he carries it with dignity. Sasha signed a contract with a unit of anti-aircraft missile forces a few days before the “full-scale” launch. He admits: the news did not add confidence and calm, so he decided not to wait for the Ukrainian missiles will fly into the city. Unfortunately, he made the right decision. Alexander was ready to hit the enemy on the “three hundred.” In the end, he completed training in Spain and ended up at the “control” of the American HAWK anti-aircraft missile system,” the message says.
Alexander’s first baptism of fire showed that the HAWK, although not a new weapon, was effective in capable hands. According to him, during training in Spain, instructors noted that this complex was not very suitable for countering drones. However, Ukrainian fighters confidently declared that they would cope.
“After all, when it comes to real combat targets, which are aimed at destroying Ukrainians, there is no time for “performance characteristics” - you get the maximum out of the weapon! Therefore, although the “Shaheds” are not an easy target for us, we still cope! Already during the first anti-aircraft battle We managed to destroy six Shaheds one after another. The adrenaline was off the charts! We repelled the air attack almost all night long. The anti-aircraft battle lasted more than 6 hours! But we are ready to fight the enemy around the clock, without rest. The main thing is to protect the Ukrainians, protect Ukraine,” the military man said. .
According to him, the Shaheds are the most annoying thing, and this is not about the complexity of the target - the anticipation of the battle is tiring, since enemy drones fly quite slowly. At the same time, it is much easier to “work” with missiles.
“It was a little uneasy when three Kh-59 missiles, constantly changing altitude, flew straight at us. But all the targets were captured and shot down one after another. The main secret is not even in the weapons we are working with, but in synchronized and well-coordinated work divisions understand perfectly the risks and consequences if we don’t hear each other or ignore each other,” Alexander said.
At the same time, combat work against enemy targets is only one percent of the activity, says Alexander. “Behind the scenes” there is maintenance and repair of equipment, charging launchers, constant redeployments, camouflage, arrangement of new positions and shelters.
“In fact, I have the best job in the world - all this targeting, capturing, launching a missile, shooting down... And what a thrill it is to understand that thanks to you the missile or drone did not reach the target,” says the defender.
It is noted that most of Alexander’s relatives also defend Ukraine. His sister serves in a tank unit, now in the Zaporozhye direction, while her husband is an infantryman, in the Dnepropetrovsk region. Most of the military friends also put their civilian plans and dreams on hold until victory.
“Of course, I want a family, a home, and not a bachelor’s den, but a real family hearth... But first I want to win. Obviously, the hardest battle is ahead. But we will stand, we will fight back and we will definitely win!” – Alexander sums up.
