Ukraine deploys ground vehicles armed with laser-guided US Hellfire missiles
Yurii Ihnat said Ukrainian forces mix air defence methods across different areas of operation.
By Arjun Wojcik ·
Ukrainian soldiers are operating ground vehicles armed with laser-guided American Hellfire missiles for air defence, Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of the Air Force Command, said in an RBC-Ukraine podcast called TSE BAZA.
Ihnat said the defence forces deploy various means against Russian aerial assets depending on the area of operation. "We have different systems, the FrankenSAM systems and there are vehicles with laser-guided Hellfire missiles," he said. He did not specify which vehicles were involved, how many Ukraine possesses, or which missile modifications are used.
Ihnat said aviation operates where ground-based air defence is inactive, to reduce the risk of Ukrainian aircraft being engaged by friendly air defence systems. Near cities and specific infrastructure, teams carry man-portable air defence systems alongside other ground-based assets. He added that electronic warfare equipment jams many Russian assets, because not all Russian systems carry appropriate antennas or are equally well-protected.
Ukrainian forces have also downed drones using assault rifles, Ihnat said, though he noted this occurs rarely. Each asset is deployed where it is most effective, he said. The AGM-114 Hellfire is an American guided missile family designed for a range of targets including armoured vehicles, air defence systems and patrol boats. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has said Hellfire II missiles feature semi-active laser homing and can be launched from helicopters, aircraft, ground vehicles and vessels.
Ukrainska Pravda previously reported Ukrainian forces deploying Tempest mobile surface-to-air missile systems carrying two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles. In January 2026, soldiers reported shooting down 21 Russian Shahed drones using those systems.
Ihnat's remarks came in the context of Ukraine's air defence mix across regions. Ground vehicles armed with Hellfire missiles join FrankenSAM systems and man-portable launchers in that mix.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
