Small air defence command formed in the Air Force: Colonel Khlibnikov appointed head of the unit
The Ukrainian Air Force is establishing a command for so-called small-scale air defence. Colonel Yevgeny Khlibnikov has been appointed to head the unit, Defence Minister Mikhail Fedorov announced on Telegram.
According to him, Russia attacks Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones every day, and in the last month alone, it has used more than 6,000 drones. Hits have been recorded on residential buildings, critical infrastructure, and trains. Fedorov stressed that the enemy is constantly improving drone modifications and tactics, which creates new risks, including the use of UAVs with Starlink.
The minister noted that Ukraine needs an effective system of small air defence and interceptors to analyse, counter and predict future threats. On the President's orders, the Ministry of Defence is changing its approach to air defence to increase the effectiveness of countering enemy attacks.
According to Fedorov, one of the most effective commanders, Pavlo Yelizarov, call sign Lazar, was recently appointed deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force. It is under his leadership that the small air defence command is being formed, and Khlibnikov's key task is to build a system capable of responding quickly to new challenges to protect the skies.
Yevgeny Khlibnikov served in the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force and worked in the General Staff in the field of air defence development. From the first days of the full-scale war, he led the use of Bayraktar during the defence of Kyiv and Chernihiv, and participated in planning the operation to liberate Zmiinyi Island. In 2014–2015, he took part in the battles for Donetsk Airport.
Fedorov added that in the near future, management in each region will be strengthened and the team for the development of small air defence will continue to be formed. He stressed that these are the first decisions of the renewed Ministry of Defence team, but there are still many steps ahead to improve interception efficiency.
President, Ministry of Defence, MOU, air defence, Fedorov, Khlibnikov