Fog prevents Ukrainian interceptor drones from shooting down Russian drones, and a lack of air defense missiles allows more and more targets to penetrate deep into the country, writes the British "Times".
The publication's journalists visited the command center of the Ukrainian laser unmanned systems unit, where operators track Russian drones around the clock and try to intercept them before they reach their targets.
There are dozens of red marks on the radar screens, indicating Russian attack drones. During one shift, the operators have to monitor many aerial targets, but the autumn weather significantly complicates their work.
"If there were no clouds, we would have intercepted these targets much earlier," said the operator, call sign Rayser.
According to the deputy commander of the unit, Major Roman, call sign Fish, Russian drones are increasingly arriving in Kiev and other areas of Ukraine due to a lack of anti-aircraft missiles and restrictions related to weather conditions.
"Imagine that you have to hit a UAV moving at a distance of five kilometers in thick fog," explains the military man.
Moreover, in clear weather the effectiveness of the Ukrainian interceptors is much higher. According to Fish, since their use began in 2024, the single destroyed more than a thousand Russian drones.
However, a new problem for the Ukrainian air defense is the increase in the number of Russian jet UAVs, which are significantly faster than conventional UAVs in speed.
Ukraine is already testing its own interceptors, but according to the military it does not yet have the capabilities to mass produce them.
In addition, high speed significantly complicates control: the operator must not only identify the target, but also manage to stop the fast-moving and maneuvering vehicle.
Journalists from The Times described one such episode.