The Ukrainian Navy has deployed river assault boats on the Dnipro River as a mobile air defense unit, providing an additional layer of protection against russian Shahed drones targeting the capital.
As reported by Army TV, the boats, such as the Riverine assault boat, operating near Kyiv, are equipped with Browning heavy machine guns and MK-19 grenade launchers, enabling them to engage aerial threats. The vessels feature five firing positions that can be configured with either machine guns or grenade launchers depending on mission requirements.
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“The boat is fast, highly maneuverable, and can be quickly positioned for accurate targeting,” one serviceman said. He noted that while firing from a moving platform presents challenges, crews are trained to stabilize the boat to enable effective engagement.
The boats are lightly armored to withstand small-arms fire up to 7.62 mm caliber. Their mobility allows them to respond rapidly to drone incursions, which have become a regular threat in the region.
The crews include both experienced military personnel and former civilian sailors who transitioned to military service. One boat commander, a former tugboat operator, joined the flotilla in 2023 after completing military training at a university.
Russian forces continue to adapt their drone tactics, changing flight paths to avoid Ukrainian defenses. “They used to fly through the Kyiv Reservoir, but changed routes after we began intercepting them,” a serviceman reported.
The crews recall participating in the response to one of the largest drone attacks over Kyiv, during which approximately 140 Shahed drones were launched. Ukraine’s river flotilla plays a key role in the country’s broader air defense strategy, using mobility and firepower to counter persistent aerial threats.
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