Ukraine confirms truck-mounted Hellfire defense
Air Force communications chief Yurii Ihnat verified that ground vehicles now carry laser-guided missiles to counter Russian drone strikes near key infrastructure.
By Tyler Anderson ·
The Ukrainian Air Force has confirmed that soldiers are operating ground vehicles equipped with laser-guided Hellfire missiles for air defense. Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force Command's Communications Department, disclosed the deployment during an appearance on the RBC-Ukraine podcast TSE BAZA.
Ihnat stated that the military utilizes a mixed approach to counter Russian aerial assets based on the specific area of operations. "We have different systems, the FrankenSAM systems and there are vehicles with laser-guided Hellfire missiles," he said. He did not specify the exact models of the vehicles, the total number deployed, or the specific modifications of the missiles in use.
The Air Force deploys these ground-based assets closer to cities and critical infrastructure to minimize the risk of friendly fire. Ihnat explained that aviation units operate in areas where ground-based air defense systems are inactive to prevent accidental engagement of Ukrainian aircraft. In these zones, teams also utilize man-portable air defense systems and other ground-based assets.
Electronic warfare plays a parallel role in the defense strategy. Ihnat noted that Ukrainian electronic warfare equipment jams many Russian aerial targets because not all Russian systems possess adequate protection or appropriate antennas. He also mentioned that forces have occasionally downed drones using assault rifles, though such incidents remain rare.
The AGM-114 Hellfire is a family of American guided missiles designed to target armored vehicles, air defense systems, and patrol boats. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, states that Hellfire II missiles use semi-active laser homing and can be launched from helicopters, aircraft, ground vehicles, and vessels.
Ukrainian forces previously deployed American Tempest mobile surface-to-air missile systems equipped with two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles. In January 2026, soldiers reported intercepting 21 Russian Shahed drones using these specific systems.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
