Russia's airstrikes on Ukraine have become all too frequent since February 2022 – unpredictable, disturbing and deadly, with a barrage of drones and missiles often fired seemingly indiscriminately into Ukrainian towns and villages.

In Kiev, the haunting sound of the air alarm sounds several times a day, usually announcing the unwelcome arrival of several dozen enemy drones, mostly Shaheds, which the Ukrainian ground forces must shoot down in order to protect the capital and its population.

The Kyiv Post met with the 1129th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, whose officers and soldiers have the momentous task of shooting down enemy objects before they can unleash their terror on businesses, homes and families.

As we race along the dusty roads of the Kiev region in a pickup truck, a machine gun rattles in the seat next to us. When we reach our position, a mobile fire group of two anti-aircraft gunners is ready to deploy the equipment – a process that only takes a minute as we wait for the moment of attack.

“We go out, install, locate the enemy, navigate using a special program, wait for (the object) to approach the range of destruction, and then open fire,” says gunner Rodion.

Rodion is just over 20 years old. He left university to serve in the armed forces and had planned to return to school after three years under contract, but the war changed everything.

“My contract was just running out and I had to finish my studies. But due to the escalating war, my university suddenly found itself in occupied territory, so it became more important to fight for my country,” says Rodion.

He has already struck down several Shaheds. He explains that thanks to automatic guidance programs and a thermal imaging camera, enemy drones can be targeted from a long distance, although it is not always immediately clear whether the team has successfully shot down the drone.

“If you hit the warhead it explodes, but sometimes the wings or engine can be damaged so there is no explosion. It can fly and fall a little further. If it falls in a field, it is possible to find it, but if it falls in a forest area, it is more difficult,” says Rodion.

Shaheds represent one of the biggest threats to the Ukrainian rear. There are countless of them, they are cheap to produce and each one carries around 40 kilograms of explosives. The main defense against these drones is mobile fire brigade groups; several hundred such forces are deployed in the Kiev region.

The regiment's tactics are straightforward – the team's main task is to patrol its area of ​​​​responsibility and intercept the Shaheds using a large-caliber machine gun and several detection systems. They can hit targets from up to several kilometers away.

“Thanks to the equipment we can work day and night, but it all depends on the distance at which the target is flying. Weather conditions also play a role, like today when it is cloudy. If (the object) flies behind the clouds, it prevents timely detection, but we adapt,” says Stanislav, the group commander.

He adds that the enemy is also improving its tactics. “Before, Shaheds flew straight and at the same altitude. Now they are maneuvering to make detection and interception more difficult.

“They are modernizing the Shaheds. They change their tactics, altitude and trajectory so that each target flies differently. Every mission requires improvisation because the enemy can approach from a different direction,” explains Stanislav.

The team doesn't just use machine guns to target unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Humvee is equipped with Stinger missiles, allowing the crew to prepare for incoming Shaheds within seconds of reaching a position.

“We spent a whole night tracking Shaheds. At six in the morning. I found one and my commander coordinated with me. I let it fly overhead before firing the rocket. We hit it, it fell to the ground and exploded,” says vehicle driver Stanislav.

Its commander, Pavlo, explains that missiles are more practical for shooting down drones than machine guns, even though Stinger missiles were originally designed to shoot down aircraft.

“Stinger missiles are designed to target large heat signatures, but they are sensitive enough to hit drones. “The system is so precise that it can detect the heat trail left by a bird in flight,” Pavlo tells us.

Pavlo was an energy engineer in his civilian life and fought in Donbass almost ten years ago. Now he hunts enemy drones, which is a big change yet strangely similar to duck hunting in his youth.

“I am a hunter by nature. My father taught me the craft. Hunting has always been my hobby and now I hunt different targets. I don't enjoy being in the army, but it's my duty. I am a husband, father and son – who else will protect my family from air raids?” Pavlo questions.

While the team is good at shooting down drones, the art of targeting missiles, especially ballistic ones, requires more advanced equipment. Strengthening the missile capabilities of Ukraine's air defense is crucial to counter enemy attacks.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's defense personnel armed with machine guns and stingers will continue to effectively counter drones.

“You feel like you are everything and nothing at the same time… a defender and a hunter.” Complex mathematical processes happen in the blink of an eye, but everything becomes intuitive,” says Stanislav.

Some of the team are already making plans for post-war life.

“(My plan is) to just live as before – raise my children and take care of my garden. “I have a lot of winter apples and grapes – I love wine!” Pavlo tells us.

His story is a reminder of how ordinary Ukrainians follow in the footsteps of giants as Ukraine battles an implacable enemy.