Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the X social network that Russia fired 2,300 attack drones, almost 1,560 guided air bombs and 108 missiles of various types at Ukraine during the past week.
“All targets were civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and energy facilities,” he said.
“Every day we work to ensure greater protection from Russian terror. Yesterday we received a new launcher of the IRIS-T system. We thank Germany for its constant contribution to the protection of people; thanks to such strong support, thousands and thousands of lives have been saved,” Zelenski said.
IRIS-T is a modern surface-to-air air defense system produced by the German company Diehl Defence. The system is intended for targeting airplanes, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, reports Index.hr.
High-tech IRIS-T missiles are capable of fast maneuvering, can hit targets both head-on and in pursuit, and are equipped with extremely sensitive infrared trackers. They can intercept modern aircraft, overcome their countermeasures and distinguish real targets from decoys.
Two versions of the IRIS-T system are currently in use:
- IRIS-T SLS (short range) – range up to 12 km and operating height up to 8 km.
- IRIS-T SLM (medium range) – range up to 40 km and operating height up to 20 km.
Zelensky said that Ukraine needs additional missiles for air defense systems to maintain sufficient capability to repel Russian attacks.
He previously sent a letter to US President Donald Trump and members of Congress warning of the lack of air defense. He also reported that during a major attack on May 24, Russia used two medium-range ballistic missiles of the Oreshnik type.
US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal announced that the United States will respond to the Ukrainian President’s letter regarding the lack of an air defense system.
(Vijesti.ba)
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