State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko noted that the agency is reinforcing combat units with firepower in line with the threats that are currently emerging both on the borders with the aggressor country and its allied state, as well as on the sea coast and the contact line. "Anti-aircraft systems will be used to combat enemy shaheds and other aerial targets, as well as to work on russian subversive reconnaissance groups, destroy enemy personnel and equipment, including armored vehicles," Demchenko said.

"The 23-caliber anti-aircraft guns blow up everything, they work on all targets except tanks," Vladyslav, commander of the anti-aircraft missile unit of the Donetsk border guard detachment, says of the weapon's capabilities. He emphasizes that the advantages of this system are its rapid fire rate and armor penetration. The anti-aircraft gunner noted that the ZU-23-2 can fire up to 2,000 rounds per minute with armor-piercing, incendiary, tracer or high-explosive ammunition.

Vladyslav's brother-in-arms, call sign "Wind," who defends the border with russia in Sumy region, emphasizes that the anti-aircraft system is effective against targets at an altitude of up to 2 kilometers and at a distance of up to 2.5 kilometers. "Currently, it is used mainly to hit aerial targets - shaheds, reconnaissance drones, and other aerial targets," the border guard clarifies.

The new ZU-23-2 and ammunition have already been delivered to the State Border Guard Service. They will be used both separately at stationary positions and on trucks or other mobile platforms in combination with various means of target detection and guidance.

Currently, the newly formed anti-aircraft crews have received the necessary training and are already on combat duty.