**Ukraine Unveils Laser Weapon Capabilities**
Ukraine has joined the ranks of countries with laser weapon capabilities, according to Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces. Speaking at a conference on December 16, Sukharevskyi announced that Ukraine’s laser system, called Tryzub, can down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers.
**Tryzub Laser System**
Sukharevskyi emphasized that the Tryzub laser system is “real and operational” and efforts are underway to scale up its capabilities. The exact details of the system were not provided. Ukraine’s defense industry has gained momentum since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
**”Mother Drones” Innovation**
Sukharevskyi also discussed the development of “mother drones,” or “queen drones,” which carry two FPV (first-person view) light attack drones. These drones can fly over 70 kilometers into enemy territory and serve as repeaters, hitting deep targets. The commander described this innovation as a “breakthrough” in Ukraine’s drone technology.
**Ukraine’s Defense Industry**
The Unmanned Systems Forces was established less than six months ago and includes combat and research units operating across air, land, and sea. This is part of Ukraine’s growing defense industry, which has seen advancements with the serial production of the Palianytsia missile-drone hybrid.
**Global Developments**
The European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has trained approximately 60,000 Ukrainian troops as of August 2024. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com