Ukraine needs more Gepard and other air defense missiles to protect against Russian attacks this autumn and winter October 2, 2023

Ukraine needs more Gepard air defense systems to better defend itself against Russian attacks in the fall and winter, Ukrainian Air Forces spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty on Oct. 2.

Ukraine is now almost entirely dependent on Western support, he said.

"The air defense is doing everything possible and will continue to do so. It is not a question of our determination, it is a question of support. We need the means to do it. [...] We cannot produce surface-to-air missiles today. We have air-to-air missiles for fighter jets, but as I've said, fighter jets are not designed to target such targets, although they do what they can. Therefore, we will need more missiles for systems like NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot, which we are using in Ukraine, if the enemy increases the intensity of attacks with cruise missiles and drones. We also need short-range air defense systems. We need more Gepards," he said.

Air raid alarms and explosions were reported in several regions of Ukraine as Russia launched another drone attack on Ukraine early on Oct. 2. Russian tactical aviation targeted an industrial facility with guided aerial bombs in Kherson Oblast. Three drones were intercepted in theDnipropetrovsk region.