NORTH OF KHARKIV, Ukraine — On a snowy Tuesday morning, a 59-year-old air defense unit soldier noticed a bright light streaking across the horizon as he started his shift in the woods close to the Russian border. Recognizing the signs of ballistic missiles launched from inside Russia, he immediately radioed an urgent warning about the incoming threat. Sadly, his unit lacked the capability to intercept these missiles. The result was devastating as the missiles struck Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, causing destruction and casualties. The soldier, identified by his call sign, Grandpa, admitted to feeling powerless in preventing the tragedy from unfolding, expressing his indescribable agony at the helplessness of the situation. The multiple missile strikes in a single day, including attacks on Kyiv and the southeastern Dnipro region, highlight the relentless assault on Ukraine’s air defense systems, revealing the severe vulnerability of the country.
The missile strikes signify Putin’s willingness to demolish Ukraine rather than allow its pursuit of an independent, democratic future in the European Union. Despite the support provided by the West, including an array of air defense systems, such as NASAMS, Iris-Ts, Gepards, and Stingers, Ukraine remains ill-equipped in defending its airspace. The close proximity of Kharkiv to Russia’s launch sites, with missiles traveling at high speed on a ballistic trajectory, presents a formidable challenge for any air defense system, including the American-designed Patriot used in Kyiv. For the 113th Territorial Defense Brigade north of Kharkiv, the reliance on a Soviet-era ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft weapon, captured from retreating Russian troops, reveals the inadequacy of the equipment in addressing the escalating threats, including the proliferation of drones and the intensified attacks on the city and the surrounding region.
The recent resurgence of attacks on Kharkiv and its vicinity following the city’s recovery from the 2022 Russian occupation amplifies the ongoing fear and anxiety among the local population. The repeated missile strikes have inflicted significant damage, including the destruction of vital infrastructure and residential buildings, leading to increased insecurity and disruption of daily life. As the air defense unit remains on constant alert in the face of imminent threats, the delayed arms deliveries from international partners have further exacerbated their defensive capabilities, leaving the troops at a disadvantage in the conflict. The frustration and futility felt by the soldiers, such as the call sign Strilok, in responding to the incoming missiles underscore the urgent need for stronger countermeasures to address the escalating crisis.
The harrowing aftermath of the missile strike, with rescue efforts amid the rubble and the anguish of waiting for news about missing loved ones, epitomizes the toll of the ongoing conflict on the civilian population. The grim reality of the situation in Kharkiv, with civilians enduring relentless attacks and grappling with the loss and devastation, underscores the urgent need for an effective resolution to end the conflict and restore stability to the region. As the violence continues to escalate, the challenges faced by the air defense unit and the broader community underscore the critical importance of concerted international efforts to address the crisis and prevent further loss of life and suffering.
