Ukraine Confirms Trucks Carrying Hellfire Missiles for Drone Defense

Ukrainian air defense units are now operating ground vehicles equipped with American laser-guided missiles. The confirmation came from Yurii Ihnat, the head of the Air Force Command’s communications department, during a podcast interview with RBC-Ukraine.

Ihnat stated that forces deploy different systems depending on the specific area of operation. He identified the FrankenSAM systems and vehicles armed with Hellfire missiles as key components of this defense network. The AGM-114 Hellfire is a family of guided missiles manufactured by Lockheed Martin. These weapons use semi-active laser homing and can be launched from helicopters, aircraft, ground vehicles, and vessels.

The Air Force does not specify which exact vehicle models carry the missiles or the total number of units in service. Ihnat noted that aviation operates in zones where ground-based air defense is inactive. This protocol prevents friendly fire incidents where Ukrainian aircraft might be engaged by their own air defense systems. Near cities and critical infrastructure, teams deploy man-portable air defense systems and other ground assets.

Electronic warfare equipment plays a role in the layered defense as well. Ihnat explained that jamming disrupts many Russian aerial assets because not all Russian systems possess advanced protection or appropriate antennas. In rare instances, Ukrainian forces have used assault rifles to down drones. The command emphasizes placing each asset where it is most effective.

This development follows earlier reports of American Tempest mobile surface-to-air missile systems entering Ukrainian service. Those systems are equipped with AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles. In January 2026, soldiers reported shooting down 21 Russian Shahed drones using these specific systems.