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Poland’s Osa-AKM-P1 Lets Ukraine Take Out Russian Su Jets and Shaheds Beyond the Limit
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian air defense units have used Polish-supplied Osa-AKM-P1 Żądło systems to shoot down Russian aircraft and drones at ranges beyond the platform’s standard limits, according to Defense Express on September 21.
The Osa-AKM-P1, a Polish modernization of the Soviet-era Osa system, has been in Ukrainian service since 2022.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi confirmed at the time that the systems were delivered and could engage Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces.
Later that year, photos confirmed the deployment of these air defense systems with Ukrainian units.
One of the crews of the 39th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment described their experience operating the upgraded system.
“Poland changed the cameras in this machine. They added a night mode… and we can clearly see whether it’s an Orlan or a Shahed,” said a deputy commander with the call sign “Fake,” quoted by Defense Express.
Operators noted that the system is officially limited to about 10,000 meters. “There are moments when we make a launch… that is the control point for the machine.
But we had moments when we launched at 10,500 meters and destroyed at 11,000, 12,000, 12,500, 12,900 meters. But this should not be done,” the soldier said, explaining that such launches were used only in critical cases.
According to Defense Express, one Osa crew reported destroying 140 targets since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including Su-type aircraft, two Orion reconnaissance-strike drones, cruise missiles, Shahed drones, and other UAVs.
The Polish modernization of the Osa system, known as Osa-AKM-P1 Żądło, includes updated optics with night vision capability and new joystick-based controls for the launch and antenna system.
These upgrades have made the platform more flexible in countering diverse aerial threats, particularly during nighttime operations.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to help Poland strengthen its air defenses after Russian drones entered NATO territory, stressing that only joint European action can provide reliable protection.
