Small air defence command formed in the Air Force: Colonel Khlibnikov appointed head of the unit

Dmitro Shevchuk
Dmitro Shevchuk Executive Editor
Small air defence command formed in the Air Force: Colonel Khlibnikov appointed head of the unit
Illustration Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Ministry of Defence announced an update to its approaches to air defence amid daily attacks by the Russian Federation, which has used more than 6,000 drones in just one month and is changing its tactics, in particular through the use of UAVs with Starlink.

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

Share tittle
Politics
Russia is demanding €47 million from Rheinmetall for a contract that it itself terminated due to the occupation of Crimea
Politics

Russia is demanding €47 million from Rheinmetall for a contract that it itself terminated due to the occupation of Crimea

Russia is seeking to recover €47.2 million from the German defence contractor Rheinmetall in relation to a contract for the construction of a military training centre, the implementation of which was suspended following the occupation of Crimea in 2014.

04.06.2026
Estonia wants continued protection for Ukrainians and an entry ban for Russian occupiers
Politics

Estonia wants continued protection for Ukrainians and an entry ban for Russian occupiers

Estonia supports extending temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU until March 2028 and is advocating for a ban on Russian combatants entering the Schengen Area.

04.06.2026
Which Ukrainian documents will the EU recognise first via ‘Dii’: an assessment by the Ministry of Digital Transformation
Politics

Which Ukrainian documents will the EU recognise first via ‘Dii’: an assessment by the Ministry of Digital Transformation

Ukraine has become the first non-EU country to join Europe’s single digital wallet – and is already testing four documents for recognition abroad.

04.06.2026
The Verkhovna Rada will make a third attempt to decriminalise pornography
Politics

The Verkhovna Rada will make a third attempt to decriminalise pornography

A new bill has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada that would decriminalise adult content and put an end to the schemes through which unscrupulous law enforcement officers profit.

04.06.2026
Taiwan is set to increase its missile stockpile to over 1,800 units. This is how the country is preparing for a possible attack by China
Politics

Taiwan is set to increase its missile stockpile to over 1,800 units. This is how the country is preparing for a possible attack by China

By 2029, Taiwan plans to increase its stockpile of anti-ship missiles to over 1,800 units. The country aims to counter threats from China.

04.06.2026
Society
Free land for war veterans: how many hectares can be obtained and what other benefits does the state guarantee?
Society

Free land for war veterans: how many hectares can be obtained and what other benefits does the state guarantee?

Those who have served in the conflict in Ukraine are entitled to receive plots of state- or council-owned land free of charge. Depending on the intended use of the land, the state may transfer between 0.10 and 2 hectares into private ownership.

04.06.2026
Musk has been accused of trying to funnel American pension funds into SpaceX
Society

Musk has been accused of trying to funnel American pension funds into SpaceX

A scandal has erupted in the US over SpaceX’s potential IPO: critics believe that following changes to stock index rules, pension funds may automatically invest Americans’ money in Elon Musk’s company.

04.06.2026
“I won this contest”: Kirkorov took credit for Bulgaria’s victory at Eurovision
Society

“I won this contest”: Kirkorov took credit for Bulgaria’s victory at Eurovision

Philip Kirkorov claimed that Bulgaria’s victory at Eurovision 2026 was allegedly down to him. The contest’s winner, DARA, publicly refuted his claims.

04.06.2026
Military service and return to duty: The State Bureau of Investigation has launched a simplified procedure
Society

Military service and return to duty: The State Bureau of Investigation has launched a simplified procedure

The State Bureau of Investigations has introduced an internal procedure for military personnel who have left their units without authorisation but wish to return to service. In the space of a month, more than 1,700 military personnel and their representatives have already approached the SBI.

04.06.2026
Billions for healthcare: are patients seeing the results?
Society

Billions for healthcare: are patients seeing the results?

In May, the National Health Service of Ukraine allocated over 16.1 billion hryvnias under the Medical Guarantees Programme; however, the financial reports raise questions about the actual accessibility of healthcare for patients.

04.06.2026
War
Syrsky took tough measures due to the poor preparation of those called up
War

Syrsky took tough measures due to the poor preparation of those called up

Following inspections carried out in May, eight military units in Ukraine have lost the right to train new recruits independently.

04.06.2026
The Kremlin is seeking a way out of the war amid military and economic difficulties
War
  • Important

The Kremlin is seeking a way out of the war amid military and economic difficulties

Russia is facing mounting pressure due to the situation on the front line, economic problems and strikes by Ukrainian drones on its territory. European officials suggest that Moscow’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric may be linked to attempts to restart the negotiation process on its own terms.

04.06.2026
Russia has attacked more than 900 port infrastructure facilities and injured 255 workers since the start of the war — Kuleba
War

Russia has attacked more than 900 port infrastructure facilities and injured 255 workers since the start of the war — Kuleba

The Russian military has attacked at least 935 port infrastructure facilities since the start of the full-scale war. People have also been injured.

04.06.2026
The youngest was just two days old. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has killed 707 Ukrainian children
War

The youngest was just two days old. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has killed 707 Ukrainian children

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has killed 707 children in Ukraine, with a further 2,548 wounded. 4 June marks the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

04.06.2026
Unmanned aerial systems struck the Russian vessel 'Svitlyak' in Crimea
War

Unmanned aerial systems struck the Russian vessel 'Svitlyak' in Crimea

On the night of 4 June, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned aerial vehicle unit struck a Russian ‘Svitlyak’-class border patrol vessel in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Air defence systems, infrastructure facilities and the enemy’s railway equipment were also targeted.

04.06.2026