Ukrainian soldiers protecting skies in the Kyiv region showed anti-aircraft-gun Gepard on Friday (June 30), commenting on its effectiveness.

“This is a universal self-propelled anti-aircraft-gun,” Said Roman, Gepard unit commander, adding that it can intercept both land and airborne targets including Shakhed-type drones and cruise missiles.

The one-and-a-half-month training took place in Germany and was effective, according to Oleksii, the unit’s marksman.

“It (the training) was fast-paced because we had to come back fast and already be trained. We were taught good and we know the equipment well,” he added.

The system is part of a multi-layered air defense network that Ukraine is trying to develop with a range of Western systems to thwart Russian air attacks.

The strikes, which regularly kill civilians, look at least in part aimed at depleting air defense stocks so that fewer systems can be used to protect troops trying to advance under Russian air superiority, Kyiv officials say.

In the month of May alone, Ukraine’s Air Force reported shooting down 149 cruise missiles, 399 drones, seven hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, three ballistic missiles as well as 11 Iskander missiles of two different types.

The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world

Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know

Read The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk
Like The Sun on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesun/
Follow The Sun on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSun
Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/The_Sun/1633225139

#russia #ukraine #war