Russia bolsters air defence near ukraine amid drone threat
Satellite image analysis has shown that the Russians are deploying additional S-300 and S-400 air defence systems to military airports closest to the Ukrainian borders. Additionally, at some of these bases, they are constructing hangars for aeroplanes. These efforts aim to increase the protection level of Russian aviation from further attacks by Ukrainian drones and long-range missiles.
In recent months, Ukraine has systematically attacked targets in Russia. Infrastructure related to oil processing, as well as ammunition depots (e.g., in Toropets) and military airports, have fallen prey to Ukrainian drones and long-range missiles provided by Western allies. The Russians have decided to further secure these airports.
Russians strengthen bases near Ukraine
As reported by Radio Svoboda's portal, the analysis of the latest satellite images confirms changes at, among others, the Millerovo air base in the Rostov region and the Belbek air base in occupied Crimea. The Russians have established new positions for S-300 and S-400 air defence systems, which were not present before the end of last year.
Additionally, satellite images show that the Russians are building hangars, which are intended not only to protect aeroplanes, e.g., from drones, but also to complicate reconnaissance efforts by the Ukrainians and their allies. Such constructions have been observed at the two bases mentioned above, as well as at the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airport in the Krasnodar region.
Russians deploy the best air defence systems
In the autumn of last year, the Joe Biden administration gave Ukraine the green light to use American weapons against targets deep in Russia. This primarily concerns ATACMS ballistic missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometres.
As a result, the Russians relocated some of their military aviation from airfields within the reach of this weapon to other bases, but they have not entirely abandoned the facilities most threatened by Ukrainian arms. Additionally, an increasing problem for the Russians is not the American missiles but the drones used by Ukrainians, some of which have a range of even several hundred kilometres.
The S-300 and S-400 systems (alongside the Pantsir-S1) are the most critical air defence systems currently used by the Russians. The S-400s are considered the most effective weapons of this kind in Putin's army arsenal. They can intercept not only drones, aeroplanes, and helicopters but also cruise missiles and ballistic missiles travelling at high speeds. Their range depends on the type of target and the missiles used. It ranges from 40 kilometres (9M96 rockets) to even several hundred kilometres (40N6E rockets).
