Ukraine needs more air defense: Bukvy interview with Air Force spokesman

Illia Yevlash is a major of the Armed Forces, journalist, and press officer. Since March 18, 2024, he has held the position of the spokesman of the Air Force of Ukraine. Prior to that, from 2022 to 2024, he headed the public relations department of the Kyiv defense forces and the press service of the Khortytsia operational-strategic army group.

He was one of those who created the heroic image of the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’, and participated in the development and implementation of the ‘Bakhmut Fortress’ campaign.

‘Bukvy’ co-founder Kateryna Roshuk talked with Illia Yevlash about the current communication challenges, the information war with the Russian Federation, the shelling of Kharkiv, the protection of the skies of Ukraine in general and border cities in particular, about Telegram and air alarms.

– Recently, a video of the downing of a Russian drone by the crew of a light Yak-52 went viral on social networks. Was this a one-time initiative, or is it planned to systematically use such aircraft to fight against enemy drones?

– We will study this experience and make further decisions based on the operational situation and the available forces. We constantly use non-standard approaches. Earlier, mobile fire groups became a new approach.

– Is it possible to cover at least large cities that constantly suffer from Russian shelling with air defense means? Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia? When can we expect a decrease in the effectiveness of the Russian strikes on these cities?

– If we receive all the necessary help from the allies, it will make it possible to significantly reduce the number of missile and bomb attacks on our cities by Russian tactical aircraft – Su-34, Su-35 and strategic – Tu-22, Tu-95. As you know, we already managed to shoot down one of the Tu-22M3 planes, which fell in the Russia-controlled territory.

The air defense also requires long-range Patriot systems, which are currently the only means that can shoot down Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles.However, the range of these air defense systems is approximately 40 kilometers, if we are talking about ballistic missiles.Therefore, taking into account the large area of Ukraine, many such systems are needed.

We also need medium-range systems – NASAMS, IRIS-T. If we talk about short-range systems, the most effective are the German Gepards. There are also other systems coming from partner countries.

The Ukrainian air defense shows unique results. For example, the training to operate a Patriot-type system, which traditionally lasts 3-4 months, is fulfilled by our military in 3-4 weeks.

Along with Western systems, we also use Soviet weapons.Together with our colleagues from the United States, we are implementing the FrankenSAM project, in the framework of which we are modernizing the old Soviet ‘Buk’ for Western missiles provided to us by our allies.Such modernization will strengthen our capabilities in repelling enemy air attacks.

If we talk about the general air defense structure, which includes complexes of medium, short and long range of action, we must also mention the electronic warfare systems. When we see the footage of downed but not damaged ‘Shahed’ drones, perhaps this is exactly their work. This gives opportunities to study the characteristics of this drone.

In addition, fighter aircraft are important – MiG-29, Su-27, which are also components of the air defense. However, they are already morally obsolete, so we need the F-16. It is very important what type of radar will be used to capture the target, since we now mostly have a problem with combating small targets, such as cruise missiles, guided air missiles or drones. They must be shot down. This can be done by F-16s with the necessary weapons.

When all this will work in an integrated manner, the security of our cities and infrastructure facilities will increase.For example, we saw how the Israel Defense Forces worked together with allies when they were attacked by Iran.We saw how pilots destroyed different types of aerial targets.

– Does the $61 billion aid package from the United States have the systems we need?

– Yes, there are AIM missiles in the publicly available lists, but so far there is no information about their modifications.

– When will the situation change?

– I can say that people will see the results in daily summaries and in explanations from the representatives of the Air Force.We communicate daily.We explain why it was not possible to shoot down, for example, all 100% of drones launched over Mykolaiv from the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson region, or when Kharkiv is shelled and drones are launched directly from the border with the Russian Federation.

The situation will change when we receive everything promised by the allies, and not only from the USA. Ukraine needs weapons and people who will use them effectively.

– Regarding guided aerial bombs. Now, the Russians use them to create conditions for the land offensive. Do we have a plan to counteract this tactics?

– The most effective way to counteract is actually to destroy the carriers of these bombs.These are mostly Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft.The so-called ‘guided bomb’ is a high-explosive aerial bomb – FAB-500 or FAB-250, equipped with a control module.They use it from the moment of launch to the moment of impact, which is about 80 kilometers.That is, the aircraft try not to get too close to the combat line.

Kharkiv region, unfortunately, constantly suffers from attacks with guided bombs.

Guided bombs is a story about how the Russians tried to make an analogue of American JDAMs, which are really high-precision weapons that have demonstrated effectiveness in combat. The problem is that, unfortunately, the Russians have a lot of such bombs, and they actively use them.

As I have already said, it is necessary to fight directly with carriers. The most effective is the development of various air defense systems, and fighter aircraft will also serve as an element that will be able to push them away from the front line.

– Let us talk about information policy. How is it regulated and implemented?

– Currently, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has one spokesperson (me), who, in coordination with the leadership, communicates about what is happening. I clarify information for the public about the work of not only the Air Force, but also the Defense Forces in general, since we have mobile fire groups, which include not only the Air Force, but also the Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, National Guards, Border Guards. All these units work together and protect our airspace.

Of course, there are a number of limitations.For example, there are certain restrictions on journalists visiting certain facilities, such as airfields or positions where our air defense systems are located.However, we try to find solutions; we try to give interviews, for example, online via Zoom or Skype, or in other places, when the military has time to leave the combat zone.

Of course, we would like to involve more media, but unfortunately there are certain safety restrictions that we have to take into account. In general, our work is regulated by a number of orders, in particular, Order 73 (published on the website of the General Staff on March 3, 2022), the doctrine of public communication; Order 36 of the Ministry of Defense, which contains the rules for visiting military facilities by media representatives. We are obliged to work within the limits of what is allowed.

– What challenges do you face in the information space?

– Russia is actively spreading fakes that they allegedly shoot down our planes, destroy dozens of Patriots and infrastructural military facilities. Russia is trying to discredit both the military leadership and our department by various methods. Russia tries to distort information, including my statements. Therefore, we constantly encourage citizens to read official sources. And we encourage journalists to ask for comments and clarifications.

Russia is now trying to distribute various videos taken a few months ago or, for example, last year, saying they are current ones.

We counteract first of all by communicating directly with various publications, including international ones. Sometimes it is necessary to publicly refute the statements of the Russian authorities and their propagandists.

– Russia is spreading videos of destroyed Patriots – this is not commented in any way from your side. And it turns out that Ukrainians seek information from Russian sources. What to do with it?

– Russia very often spreads information, as I said, about dozens of our shot planes, and about the destroyed Patriots. And not only Patriots.

Of course, we cannot comment on all the statements of the enemy for different reasons. Because the enemy also uses OSINT. Russia can hyperbolize or twist information to create even bigger fakes.

We tell what we can, weighing all the risks and challenges. However, during war, of course, there are certain restrictions.

– Telegram messenger blocked, but has already restored, chatbots where Ukrainians can send information about enemies. Did the Air Force have such a chatbot? Moreover, for example, Kyrylo Budanov has a question about Telegram: in his opinion, there is a need to regulate anonymous Telegram channels so that it is clear who is responsible for the information. What is your opinion?

– Unfortunately, many Ukrainians receive a lot of information from Telegram channels, including unreliable and unverified information.Telegram continues to spread fakes, as there are many Russian propaganda channels there.It is very important for people to be media literate so that they can distinguish fakes, manipulations, deep fakesand check information.This is extremely important.

The Air Force does not have any chatbots. We only have a verified channel with a blue check mark of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in which we publish official information about the activities of the Air Force and inform the public about air threats of various types. These can be missile attacks, drone attacks. We inform when and where it is necessary to go to the shelters. As soon as there is a threat, information from partners about the threat, for example, the use of ballistic missiles or possible preparations for the launch of missiles, we immediately inform the population about this, so that people can reach shelters in time.

We also have an alternative platform – the official WhatsApp channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. That is, users can choose depending on which social network is more convenient for them.

– Telegram has a number of monitoring channels that publish data about the directions of missiles or drones online (Monitoring. Airspace of Ukraine, etc.). All of them have almost half a million subscribers. There are also a lot of other channels. However, not all of them simply copy data. Where do they get this data from, since they are not official channels of the Armed Forces of Ukraine?

– Programs that can track the movement of air targets are available not only to the military. The heads of military administrations can announce an air alert on their own if they see a threat. They can independently turn on the air alarm in order to protect the lives and health of citizens.

Therefore, this access is available not only to the military, but also to a certain circle of people, however, the Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is an official source of information from where you can get information about the movement of missiles or launch of vehicles that pose a threat to our citizens and our infrastructure.

– It is the third year of the full-scale war, and there are still no gradations of air alarms. When the MiG takes off, and when the missiles are over the region the alarm is the same. Therefore, people who do not have the mobile app are not able to assess the degree of the threat. Are any innovations planned?

– For example, in the ‘Air Alert’ app, developed together with air force specialists, there is a gradation, when, for example, a Shahed drone enters the airspace of the region or, for example, there is a danger, then the ‘Air Alert’ alert is activated. If we see that there is a threat specifically for this place, then the next signal is activated – ‘increased threat’. This is a clear marker that it is necessary to immediately, urgently go to the shelter.

Of course, even the simple announcement of an air alert is an important signal that should not be ignored. However, if the alert of an increased threat is activated, people should immediately follow the instructions and go to the shelter. In addition, we also maintain our own, as I said earlier, information channels – in Telegram and WhatsApp, in which we publish online information about the threat or about the movement of missiles in a certain direction.

– You took part in the information campaign to create the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ legend at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Many people really believed that there was such a real person – the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’.

– This is a collective image of our pilots, who really did the impossible in the first days. Sometimes there were cases when two Ukrainian aircraft fought against a dozen Russian planes. And they achieved quite good results in those battles.

Then there was a need to boost morale as the enemy was pressing. It was difficult to understand what was true, what was manipulation, what was disinformation, and what was a lie. The Russians, if we recall, wanted to destroy our aviation literally in the first hours of the offensive. Both army (helicopters) and tactical.

Then we realized that it was necessary to encourage our people, to raise the morale and, in particular, to influence the enemy, who really did not expect such resistance.

At that time, I was in the Ground Forces, our team (Colonel Cherevatyi, Lieutenant Colonel Fityo, the head of the Public Relations Service) decided to create such a generalized image that could, as I said, simultaneously encourage our people and intimidate the enemies.

The press service of the Ground Forces made a video about the Ghost of Kyiv and posted it on our page. We then worked as a kind of information agency; we constantly published news 24/7.

– Did a real pilot shoot down the plane?

– Yes, this person really exists, but at that time we did not know who he was. Then we developed the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ legend. Real people did real things.

– It worked very well at that time when we had to believe that we could endure. Now is a time that can be called a time of despair. We are tired, and there is no illusion of a quick victory.

– People had overestimated expectations, and even now they still have some. It is like a cold shower.

– Let us say honestly that many contributed to the formation of such expectations. Let us call it a comprehensive state information policy. What communication techniques are needed now, when the society no longer believes in a quick victory?

– First of all, there must be the stories of people, because it is people who fight. Well-known people with their experience, their charisma, can adequately explain the importance and seriousness of what is happening, using examples of real stories, examples of real people. A certain military man is not just a conventional person, but someone’s husband, son, neighbor. Now he is the protector that keeps the Russian army away of your house.

It is necessary to carry out such measures so that people understand that the enemy is powerful and aggressive.Perhaps the enemy will occupy new places.A lot of people join the Armed Forces after realizing the full level of danger.It is better to do it before the enemy comes to your home. People should understand that if the Russians come, they will recruit those people who will be in the temporarily occupied territory and will drive them to the war.

Against the Ukrainian army, then against other countries. We have to realize this with all the fullness and seriousness, since there have already been many such cases when the enemy simply formed a mobilization reserve of people in the temporarily occupied territories. This is a very big danger. The enemy will take away business, take away lives, and families, and relatives. This must be understood and remembered.

– What are our chances to resist and win?

– I think that a lot of people who are fighting now believe in the victory, including me. I believe we can win. But only when we unite and receive help from our partners. Of course, the victory will not be easy and quick.

Victory for me personally is the borders of 1991, when we will liberate our territory. Secondly, when we can ensure such a situation that the enemy will not be able to attack us again and will not continue to fire missiles at us.

– We liberated Kherson, but Kherson is constantly under fire.

– We must understand that even going to the borders will not mean victory. Victory is the safety of Ukrainian citizens and infrastructure.

– We have to realize that it will never be like it was before, and that war is now a way of life. We must be ready to defend ourselves.

– Absolutely.