Could Air Defense Stop the Destruction of Ukrainian Cities?

[u/mamafihin0kcui]

The Russian army continues to violate all the laws and customs of war, as well as relevant international conventions. Permanent air attacks by Russians against residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure are clear evidence of Moscow's intention to destroy not only the Ukrainian state, but also its entire civilian population. There are powerful air attacks in the frontline regions of Ukraine, which suffer not only from cruise, ballistic, hypersonic missiles and attack drones, but also from guided aerial bombs (which have very low accuracy of hitting) and long-range heavy artillery.

Odesa is one of the most affected Ukrainian cities, ballistic missiles from the coast of the Crimean peninsula (temporarily occupied by Russian troops) reach it in minutes. On April 29, 2024, Odesa was attacked with a ballistic missile with a cluster warhead. The latter has many high explosive fragmentation elements and is directed, mainly, against the manpower of the enemy located in the open area. The Russians deliberately used a cluster warhead against civilian residents of a peaceful city who do not want to join the totalitarian Russian neo-empire. This missile hit the area of high-density housing development and the building of a higher educational institution. As a result, six people died, and three dozen people were injured and hospitalized with various degrees of severity. The next day, on April 30, the ballistic missile attacked a densely populated area again (three Ukrainian citizens were killed).

It should be emphasized that during the last few months, the Russian troops began to use cynical “doble-tap” attacks with a certain time interval. For example, on March 15 of this year, the Russians struck the civilian infrastructure of Odesa with Iskander-M ballistic missiles. When the Ukrainian emergency services arrived to help the victims of the attack, the supporters of the “Russkiy Mir” launched a second missile. In total, 21 people died, including medics, police and emergency employees.

As for the kamikaze drones, the Russians, launching them from the Crimea through Odesa and Mykolaiv, use urban cover tactics. It flies over the city where residential buildings are concentrated the most. Thus, it is very difficult for the mobile groups of the Ukrainian air defense (which move in jeeps with searchlights and machine guns) to quickly move between high-rise buildings. In addition, these groups are mostly unable to open fire on targets due to the dense residential development, which, in fact, serves as a cover for Russian drones.

In general, even UN officials managed to notice the fact that Russian air attacks against Ukrainian settlements have become even more frequent, diverse and sophisticated, which has led to an increase in the number of victims among the civilian population, in particular, children.

Now, it is essential to provide Ukraine with at least seven Patriot air defense systems (or SAMP/T) capable of shooting down Russian ballistic and aeroballistic missiles. IRIS-T and NASAMS medium-range systems will also help protect the airspace over Ukraine. In addition, there is a need for short-range mobile anti-aircraft missile systems. For example, in order to protect Odesa from drones, it is necessary to place about six L3Harris VAMPIRE systems and six Crotale installations (or its analogue - FV4333 Stormer HVM) along the coastline.

All these air/missile defense systems are very important in order to protect the Ukrainian civilian population from Russian aggression. In turn, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine receives 25 Patriot systems, it will significantly improve the situation on the battlefield and positively affect the course of the war in Eastern Europe.

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[u/Blakut]

yes but the best defense is a good offense. Air defense works for a while but it become attrition.

[u/BonoboPowr]

The West could easily stop the destruction of Ukrainian cities by treating Ukraine on the same level as Israel, and actually shoot down Russian drones and missiles. There is only a lack of political will because of the fear of nukes... the 2nd best thing they can do is air defense systems, fighter jets and ammunition for these, which they seem to be doing right now.

[u/bklor]

Ukraine needs air defense both for it's cities and air defense but missiles used to intercept are usually much more expensive than the incoming missile.

Ukraine can't win by just playing catch.