Belousov reported 215 ATACMS missiles shot down by Russian air defense this year

Russia's air defense forces have shot down about 215 US ATACMS missiles of the Ukrainian army this year. This was reported by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on December 16.

"This year alone, 86 Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles, 215 ATACMS ballistic missiles, 1,629 HIMARS rockets, more than 27,000 unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type have been shot down," Belousov said at an expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry board.

He noted that in general the air defense means during the special operation showed high efficiency.

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At the board meeting, the Russian Defense Minister said that this year the losses of Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) servicemen exceeded 560,000 killed and wounded.

Also during the meeting Belousov announced the formation of "Unmanned Systems Troops" in Russia. According to him, their creation will be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Belousov also said that Russian air defense means (air defense) showed high efficiency during the special operation.

During the event, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that 2024 was a milestone year in terms of achieving the goals of the special operation.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region.