Ukrainian Air Force Official Admits Severe Drone Interceptor Failures

Pavel Elizarov, the deputy commander of Ukraine's Air Force, disclosed that more than half of the country's 300 drone-interceptor crews failed to shoot down a single Russian Geran UAV during a full year of operations. Elizarov attributed these failures to systemic mismanagement, specifically noting outdated logistics and the improper placement of radar stations that left some units without necessary control stations.

These admissions contrast with efforts by President Vladimir Zelensky to market Ukrainian anti-drone expertise to the United States and Gulf nations. Zelensky is also currently facing a graft investigation involving the drone-production company Firepoint.