UKRAINE, Jun. 9 — The Ukrainian Skynex anti-aircraft artillery system downed 11 kamikaze drones and one cruise missile during single air combat, reported the German Aid to Ukraine project, citing the Air Command “West” of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Andrii, commander of an anti-aircraft artillery battery of the missile regiment named after the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, said that his unit has a total of two cruise missiles and around 35 Shahed-type kamikaze drones to its credit.

Skynex battery consists of four 35mm gun systems, a command post, and a radar station that detects initial targets and guides Skynex’s guns.

The system is based on the 35mm Oerlikon Mk3 automatic cannon, which has an effective firing range of 4,000 meters (4,374 yards) and a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute. It uses Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD-type) programmable airburst ammunition.

According to Militarnyi, a Ukrainian defense media outlet, Skynex gun systems aren’t self-propelled, so their primary goal is to protect fixed military objects and critical infrastructure.

In November 2025, Armin Pepperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall AG German defense company, reported that Germany provided all four promised Skynex systems to Ukraine. 

In July 2025, Ukraine’s Air Defense Forces reported that Kyiv was using Skynex systems to down Shahed drones.

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