A Ukrainian air-defense sergeant says missiles aren't his most challenging shortage. It's the gear that finds enemy targets.

MANPADS can stop Russian drones, missiles, aircraft, and helicopters. AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko, File A Ukrainian sergeant said supporting gear is harder to get for his air defense unit than missiles. It uses MANPADS that down Russian jets and aircraft, but needs batteries and ways to find targets. Equipment like drone detectors and electronic warfare systems is "hard to get," he said. The hardest shortage facing one Ukrainian shoulder-fired air-defense unit isn't necessarily missiles, its battery sergeant told Business Insider. It's some of the equipment that helps crews find targets and keep their systems running. The soldier, who uses the call sign Yankee, serves in a front-line unit equipped with man-portable air-defense systems , or MANPADS, which fire shoulder-launched missiles able to engage low-flying aircraft, as well as cruise missiles and drones.