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US State Department Has Funded 800 Mobile Air Defense Units for Ukraine in 2024

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US State Department Has Funded 800 Mobile Air Defense Units for Ukraine in 2024
Ukrainian soldiers from a mobile air defense unit engage Russian drones using a ZU-23-2 twin 23-mm anti-aircraft gun at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, April 16, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

The United States Department of State has funded 800 mobile air defense units for Ukraine’s Defense Forces in 2024, according to a statement by US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, on her social media account.

These mobile units, composed of the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service, have played a critical role in safeguarding civilian lives and vital infrastructure from Russian aerial threats. Ambassador Brink noted that, since the beginning of the year, these units have successfully intercepted and downed over 200 Russian drones.

According to Brink, “These mobile fire units are saving lives through their effective defense operations.” The US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs managed the funding for the units, equipping Ukraine’s defense with high mobility and firepower.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the scale of the ongoing attacks, reporting that Ukraine faced over 2,000 drone strikes from Shahed-type drones within the month alone. The mobile air defense groups, using vehicles equipped with machine guns, automatic cannons, and man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), have proven effective in responding to such threats by strategically positioning themselves along anticipated drone flight paths.

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