Russia fortifies Crimean Bridge with advanced air defence systems
The Crimean Bridge is one of the key objects for Russians, as control over it primarily ensures efficient logistics for the Russian army in the area. Therefore, it is obvious that the Russian Federation keeps the valuable road connecting the Crimean Peninsula with the Taman Peninsula safe. Photos showing how Russia is accomplishing this task have just appeared online.
The Russian Federation is increasingly focusing on ensuring the security of the Crimean Bridge. As early as May 2024, special barriers appeared at the mentioned structure to protect against Ukrainian strikes, and a few months later, in July, the Russians began building additional fortifications.
Russians secure the Crimean Bridge against Ukrainian attacks
However, the attempt to protect the Crimean Bridge does not end there. In September 2024, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletentchyk noted that the Russian Federation was then using "all air defence systems, including the S-500, S-400, S-300, and Pantsir-S1 to protect the bridge." Deploying more machines is important, among other things, because, according to Ukrainian partisans, the condition of the bridge is deteriorating – the structure is slowly collapsing.
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express now reports that the Russians are introducing more measures to ensure the safety of the Crimean Bridge. This involves constructing high towers on which Pantsir-S1 missile systems are stationed. The structures were observed on Tuzla Island (under the bridge). Their height is estimated at about 30–35 metres.
Photos published in the media show that the Russian Federation intends to build more structures in the future. Metal sections matching those where the Pantsir-S1 system has already been deployed have been seen near the bridge. Anti-tank obstacles have also appeared near the Crimean Bridge, which the Russians are placing to protect the structure from attacks carried out using unmanned marine vehicles.
Pantsir-S1 air defence system
The Pantsir system's history dates back to the 1980s, when the Soviet Army decided to develop a new short-range air defence system. The previously used 9K330 Tor system was highly effective, but its use was limited by its tracked chassis and high operating costs.
Work on the prototypes of the Pantsir-S1 system was completed in 1994. The manufacturer based it on truck chassis such as Kamaz-6560, BAZ-6309, or MAN SX45. The system's crew consists of three people, but thanks to the presence of radars and a fire control system, Pantsir can operate fully autonomously, even without a crew.
The Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system is highly useful. It protects against fire from aeroplanes and helicopters and intercepts precision weapons moving at speeds up to 3,540 km/h. One Pantsir-S1 system can monitor up to 12 objects simultaneously, and its radar covers an area with a radius of up to 20 km. The maximum height for intercepting threats by Pantsir-S1 is 15 km.
The system includes two automatic 30mm anti-aircraft guns 2A38, with a firing rate of 2,500 rounds per minute. Additionally, the Pantsir-S1 is equipped with 12 anti-aircraft missiles 67E6 or 57E6E in two sections of six each. The system can simultaneously engage two targets.
