Russian Drones Came One After Another. Ukraine’s Gepard Crew Shot Down 17

A Ukrainian crew operating a German-made Cheetah, also known as Gepard, self-propelled anti-aircraft gun shot down 17 Russian attack drones in one night during a massive strike on the Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine’s Western Air Command reported on June 16.

The crew worked almost nonstop against incoming aerial targets. Russian drones approached in waves, with only seconds between new targets. As soon as one drone was destroyed, the next one was already being tracked.

“I only had time to report over the radio: ‘Target destroyed.’ There were many of them, they were moving one after another in the same direction,” said Junior Sergeant Mykola, commander of the Cheetah combat crew.

According to Mykola, the strongest feeling during such battles comes from knowing that an enemy drone will not reach its target.

“When you see the target explode in the air, you realize with joy that it will not fly anywhere anymore. That is probably the main emotion during such battles,” he said.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Mykola worked in construction. After being mobilized, he served on the Tunguska anti-aircraft missile and gun system before later undergoing training in Germany and learning to operate the Cheetah.

He has now destroyed 39 aerial targets in total.

The Cheetah’s twin 35mm Oerlikon cannons can fire up to 1,100 rounds per minute. Ukrainian operators report that destroying a Shahed-type drone often requires only short bursts of 7 to 11 rounds.

Even with higher average ammunition use of around 20 to 30 rounds per target, the system remains a highly effective and cost-efficient tool against Russian drones.

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The Cheetah is also occasionally used against Russian cruise missiles, which may require heavier fire. Ukrainian forces have reported that Russia has recently increased the flight altitude of Shahed-type drones to more than 1.5 kilometers.

The system remains effective even under changing conditions, as it can engage aerial targets at altitudes of up to 3 kilometers.

The reported 17-drone result shows why gun-based air defense systems remain vital for Ukraine. They help intercept mass drone attacks while preserving more expensive missile interceptors for harder targets such as ballistic and cruise missiles.

Earlier, reports emerged that Belgium was moving to acquire and refurbish 15 retired Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems for eventual transfer to Ukraine, in a bid to strengthen the country’s short-range air defense capabilities.

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