In a powerful display of defense strength, Ukraine has successfully used Germany’s Skynex air defense system to shoot down seven Russian Shahed drones in just one night.
Deadly Drones Stopped Mid-Air
This happened during a major drone and missile attack that took place between July 11 and 12. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, this night was one of the most intense operations they have carried out so far. In total, Ukraine’s air defense units destroyed 319 Shahed drones and 25 cruise missiles.
Video footage released by the Ukrainian military shows the Skynex system in action. The video captures bright flashes in the sky as the German system shoots at incoming drones with great accuracy. The exact place and time of the interception were not shared, but officials confirmed that Skynex performed just as expected.
The Shahed drones used by Russia are also called “loitering munitions.” These drones can fly long distances, circle around targets, and then crash into them, causing explosions. These weapons are often used in groups to overwhelm air defenses. Ukraine has been under repeated drone attacks, especially during nighttime. The Skynex system is helping stop these dangerous threats in mid-air before they can reach critical targets.
What is Skynex and How It Works
Skynex is a short-range air defense system made in Germany by a company called Rheinmetall. It was first introduced in 2021. Its main job is to protect important places like airports, power stations, and military bases from flying threats such as drones, guided bombs, and even missiles.
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The heart of the Skynex system is a 35mm automatic gun called the Oerlikon Mk3. This cannon can shoot up to 1,000 rounds per minute and can hit targets as far as 4 kilometers away. But Skynex doesn’t just shoot regular bullets — it uses something special called AHEAD ammunition.
AHEAD stands for Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction. These are smart bullets that explode at the right moment in the air, releasing many tiny metal pieces that spread out and hit the drone. This makes it more likely to destroy fast-moving targets like the small Shahed drones. The bullets are programmed to explode at just the right distance from the target. This programming is done inside the barrel of the gun itself.
A single Skynex system includes four of these gun units, a command center, and a radar system that can detect threats early. Each gun also has its own small radar and optical system. This allows it to find and shoot down targets on its own if needed, even without help from the main radar.
The system can respond quickly and automatically, making it very effective against sudden or mass drone attacks. Unlike missile-based systems, which are very expensive, Skynex uses cheaper ammunition. Each engagement using AHEAD rounds costs around €4,000. This is much more affordable than firing a missile, which could cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros.
Germany’s Support and Ukraine’s Growing Defense Wall
Germany has supplied two Skynex units to Ukraine. These were paid for by the German government, costing a total of €182 million. The systems arrived in 2024 and are currently the only Skynex units being used in real-world combat anywhere in the world.
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Earlier video clips from training exercises in September 2024 showed how Ukrainian troops were preparing to use the system. These clips were shared by Ukraine’s Air Command “West” and showed the troops learning how to operate the complex radar and gun systems.
Now, with the latest combat video showing Skynex shooting down seven drones in one night, it is clear that the training has paid off. The weapon is not just a symbol — it’s actively protecting lives and buildings during ongoing air attacks.
Skynex is now part of Ukraine’s larger defense network. This network is designed to fight off many kinds of aerial attacks. Ukraine has had to build up this network quickly due to frequent drone and missile strikes. The country now uses a mix of weapons — including German systems like IRIS-T, U.S.-made Patriot missiles, and now Skynex — to defend its skies.
Skynex is not the only tool Ukraine is using, but it plays an important role in stopping cheaper, low-flying drones that are hard to catch. While missiles are usually used for bigger or faster threats, systems like Skynex are perfect for stopping groups of drones that try to sneak in during the night.
During the massive July 11–12 drone wave, the Ukrainian Air Force clearly showed how effective the country’s air defense has become. Out of hundreds of incoming drones and missiles, many were destroyed before they could do any damage. Skynex was credited for helping with that success by shooting down seven Shahed drones — a serious blow to Russia’s drone attack strategy.
Designed for short-range but high-impact defense, Skynex is showing that even a few well-placed systems can make a big difference in the fight to control the skies.