Russia pulls air defenses from Arctic as Ukrainian drone attacks intensify - Media
Photo: Russia's Arctic air defense network has been left without S-300 and S-400 systems (mil.in.ua)
Why Russia is withdrawing S-300 and S-400 systems
According to the report, recent satellite images indicate that key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense protection. Moscow has relocated air defense units from several strategic sites that were previously heavily guarded.
Experts say that long-range Ukrainian drone strikes are presenting the Kremlin with a difficult dilemma. Russia is being forced to choose what to protect — military bases in the north or oil refineries and Moscow.
According to analysts, around 60% of Russia's S-300 and S-400 systems have been moved from their permanent positions, where they had been deployed before the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Photo: Key Russian military facilities in the Arctic have been left without a significant portion of their air defense (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrainski-drony-poslablyuyut-ppo-rosiyi/33804225.html)
Where the weapons disappeared from
The most significant changes have been recorded in several strategic areas:
- The Novaya Zemlya archipelago — near the Rogachevo airbase, an air defense missile position that had existed since at least 2015 has almost completely disappeared.
- Severodvinsk — the city is a key center for the construction of Russia's nuclear submarines. Around two dozen S-300 and S-400 systems have been removed from the area.
Some Arctic air defense units have been redeployed directly to combat zones. One system transferred from Severodvinsk was deployed to occupied Crimea, where its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Spiridonov, was later killed.
Where the air defense systems are being deployed now
The redeployed systems are being positioned near facilities that are regularly targeted by Ukrainian drones.
For example, a new battery has been deployed near the Saratov oil refinery, which has been hit multiple times.
In addition, S-400 systems are increasingly being installed in Moscow's city parks. Russian authorities appear willing to accept greater risks in remote regions in order to shield the country's political and industrial centers.
SBU operations against Russia's strategic assets
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) continues to systematically strike strategic targets inside Russia and in occupied Crimea, weakening the enemy's logistics and military capabilities.
The agency recently summarized another phase of its large-scale strike campaign, releasing new results from a 40-day operation targeting Russian oil refineries, fuel depots, and airfields.
In addition, Ukrainian drones continue to hit targets deep inside Russian territory successfully. Recently, the SBU reached Bashkortostan, where it struck the Cherkasy Linear Production Dispatch Station (LPDS), one of the key facilities operated by Transneft-Ural.
Russian military forces in occupied Crimea also remain under constant pressure. Earlier, operators from the SBU's Alpha special unit struck the Dzhankoy airbase, a port in Crimea, and several other critical logistics hubs used by Russian forces.
