Jul 05, 2026
Ukraine’s Air Command West has released footage showing a German-made Skynex air defense system intercepting a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, offering one of the clearest looks yet at the system’s combat use in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Air Command West on July 5 published footage showing the German-built Rheinmetall Skynex short-range air defense system destroying a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile during one of Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukraine.
The commander of the Skynex anti-aircraft battery, identified only as Andrii, said Ukraine was among the first countries to receive the system for operational use.
“The system measures the distance to the target, altitude, and target speed. As the projectile leaves the barrel, it is programmed by a programmer located in the muzzle brake-compensator,” Andrii said.
According to Air Command West, the Skynex battery featured in the footage has so far intercepted 34 Shahed attack drones and two Kh-101 cruise missiles.
Explaining how the system engages targets, the commander added: “The system itself aims, calculates the interception point, and the projectile detonates directly near the target.”
Open-source intelligence analyst OSINTtechnical noted that markings visible on the battery’s command vehicle indicate previous interceptions, showing two cruise missiles and 30 Shahed drones destroyed. The analyst also observed that the fire-control interface displayed in the video tracked targets flying at speeds of around 800 km/h.
Skynex is a German-developed short-range air defense system produced by Rheinmetall and designed to counter drones, cruise missiles, rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds. A complete battery integrates the Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system, an Oerlikon X-TAR3D radar, and up to four Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 automatic air defense guns.
Ukraine operates the four-gun configuration of the system. As of November 2025, the country’s Defense Forces had four Skynex systems in service.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Air Force released footage showing the German-made Skynex air defense system destroying at least seven Russian Shahed attack drones during a single overnight attack, highlighting the system’s role in protecting Ukrainian infrastructure from mass drone strikes.
Ukraine needs more of these fine systems.🇺🇦💪