Ukraine said its forces shot down 52 Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia used to attack military and critical infrastructure facilities in the central regions of Ukraine, and the Kyiv region in particular.
According to a statement from Ukrainian Air Force, it downed 52 of the 54 Russia-launched drones, calling it a record attack with the Iranian-made “kamikaze” drones since the start of the war.
“In total, a record number of explosive drones launched have been recorded: 54!” the Ukrainian air force said.
In Kyiv alone, more than 40 drones were downed, officials said. This information has been independently verified by the Ukrainian army operating German-made all-weather self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Gepard.
Fitted with two 35mm machine guns, the Gepard’s “high off-road mobility and rapid swivelling of the turret enable the extremely short reaction times needed to engage aerial threats.” The Gepard shares a chassis with the Leopard 1 main battle tank.
Authorities say two people were killed and three injured during the attack on the Ukrainian capital.
Some officials accused Russia of targeting Kyiv deliberately as residents prepared to celebrate Kyiv Day – the anniversary of the city’s foundation 1500 years ago and a popular holiday before the war.
About Gepard anti-air gun
The Gepard, or Flakpanzer Gepard, is a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) developed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was designed to provide mobile air defense for ground forces and protect them from low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Gepard is built on the chassis of the Leopard 1 main battle tank and features a turret-mounted dual 35mm Oerlikon KDA autocannon system, which has an effective range of approximately 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) and a firing rate of 550 rounds per minute per gun.
The advanced fire control system of the Gepard includes radar, electro-optical, and infrared sensors, enabling it to effectively track and engage targets in various weather conditions and at different times of the day. Its mobility is excellent due to being built on the Leopard 1 chassis, which allows it to keep pace with other armored units and quickly reposition in response to changing battlefield conditions.
Over the years, several variants of the Gepard have been developed, including upgraded versions with improved radar systems and other enhancements. Although the Gepard 35mm has been retired from service in the German Bundeswehr, it remains in use by several other countries and continues to be a potent short-range air defense platform.
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