The figure includes 7,500 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as other sophisticated munitions, according to the Russian president
FILE PHOTO. A Russian Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft system. © Sputnik / Aleksey Kudenko
Russian forces have shot down more than 80,000 aerial targets in the conflict with Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has revealed, adding that the country is seeking to create a universal anti-aircraft system capable of intercepting any incoming projectiles.
Putin made the remarks on Thursday while meeting with senior civilian and military officials to discuss Russia’s armament plans for the period of 2027 to 2036.
The conflict with Ukraine has been marked by the rapid development of air weaponry, the evolution of its role, and the tactics of its use, Putin noted.
“The new state armament program should ensure the creation of a universal air defense system that is capable of operating in any conditions and effectively destroying aerial strike weapons regardless of their type,” the president stated.
The figure of 80,000 includes around 7,500 sophisticated munitions, such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and projectiles fired by multiple rocket launchers, Putin noted, adding that nearly all the weapons that were destroyed were supplied to Kiev by the West.
However, drones constitute the vast majority of aerial targets intercepted in the conflict. According to the latest figures by the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 63,000 Ukrainian UAVs of all types have been destroyed.
“The fight against various types of unmanned aerial vehicles required new approaches and non-standard solutions. This field remains particularly relevant,” Putin said.