How Kyiv became the most protected city in the world
Despite the unprecedented level of Russian missile attacks in May, Ukraine withstood them, and Kyiv has arguably become the most defended city in the world. This opinion is expressed by experts in an article in The Economist.
In the 31 days of May, Russia launched 16% of all the missiles it had used in the 15 months of the war, which is nearly three times the average. The majority of these were targeted at Kyiv. The attacks were notable not only for their quantity but also for the type of air targets used: Russia shifted to more advanced ballistic missiles such as the "Iskander-M" and "Kinjal."
Kyiv residents went without sleep for at least 20 nights due to the Russian nighttime and early morning attacks, accompanied by loud explosions of rockets and drones. Despite the loud and terrifying nature of the attacks, very few missiles penetrated the city's defenses. For the first time in history, the "invincible" Russian Kinjal missiles were destroyed in combat, despite all of Russia's claims about their invulnerability. The effectiveness of the city's air defense systems led some observers to conclude that Kyiv had become the most defended city on Earth.
Ukraine owes its missile defense capabilities to new Western technology. However, the fact that its air defense—and the country as a whole—managed to survive can be attributed to the resourceful use of outdated Soviet systems by Ukrainians, such as the "Buk," S-125, and S-300.
General Kryvonozhko, responsible for the air defense of Kyiv, stated that the construction of Kyiv's missile shield began in May 2022. Prior to that, missile defense was limited to protecting strategic objects. The shield was adapted as Russian tactics evolved.
The assistance of the West played a significant role in this. After the start of autumn attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, Ukraine acquired its first advanced batteries—the IRIS-T system of German production. Soon after, the NASAMS systems, provided by the United States and Norway, capable of countering cruise missiles, also became available. The first Patriot PAC-3 system in Ukraine became operational on April 21, followed by the second on April 27.
Kyiv's missile defense system is organized in layers to ensure comprehensive coverage. Powerful systems such as Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T are positioned at the top. Ukraine has completed the process of integrating other assets, including Soviet-era "Buk" and S-300 systems, into a new centralized command system. When a target is detected, the most effective missile is used to engage it, striking it as far away from the city as possible.
The first step in Kyiv's missile defense is a network of mobile artillery units, essentially pickups with machine guns or anti-aircraft missile systems mounted on their cargo platforms. These units serve as the first line of defense against drones. Each unit is responsible for a specific sector along the flight path towards the capital. Most of them are equipped with night vision devices and spotlights, and some have low-altitude detection radars.
The defense over Kyiv may now be the best in the world, but Russia's goal to exhaust the city remains. "They want massive emigration from the city and render it uninhabitable," says General Kryvonozhko.