Russian Pantsir system fails to shoot down drones
Pantsir-S1 (Photo: Getty Images)
"Pantsir-S1," missile system located on the rooftop of the Russian Ministry of Defense headquarters, was unable to shoot down a drone, even though it was less than 300 meters away from the point of impact in Moscow, according to "Radio Liberty."
According to posts on social media and satellite images, it is evident that the short-range anti-aircraft missile and gun system "Pantsir-S1," which was located on the rooftop of the Ministry of Defense headquarters at the end of 2022, remains in place.
It is noted that the distance from the point of impact of the drone on the complex of buildings of the Russian military agency on Komsomolsky Prospekt to this location is less than 300 meters (approximately 984 feet -Ed.).
"However, there were no witnesses who noticed the operation of the 'Pantsir' in the morning on Monday," the article states.
Drone attack on Moscow: the key points in brief
It is reported that two drones attacked Moscow last night. One UAV hit a business center, where the "Leroy Merlin" store is located, and the other one crashed not far from the building of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the headquarters of GRU cyber intelligence.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have "intercepted two drones" and accused the Ukrainian side of the attack. However, Bellingcat investigator Hristo Grozev noticed that near the crash site of the drone's debris is the Military University and several secret facilities of the GRU (Main Intelligence Agency of Russia), including the "cyberattack headquarters of GRU."
The second drone hit a business center, resulting in shattered windows on the 17th and 18th floors over an area of 50 square meters. The "Leroy Merlin" store is located in this building.
Later, RBC-Ukraine reported that the nighttime drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
Russian air defense system in Moscow
Russia had been actively strengthening its air defense around Moscow due to fears of Ukrainian drone strikes.
Subsequently, videos emerged showing the deployment of the "Pantsir-S1" anti-aircraft missile and gun system on the rooftops of administrative buildings, including the Russian Ministry of Defense, in Moscow.
As explained by ISW, the Kremlin is likely intensifying its efforts to prepare the Russian population for a prolonged war against Ukraine. For this purpose, air defense systems are being installed around Moscow in recent days.
