After UAV attack on Moscow, Ukraine reveals flaws in Russia's defense system

On July 24, Russia said Ukraine had launched a drone attack on Moscow, with one UAV targeting an area near the Russian Defense Ministry headquarters. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties in the attack.

The air strikes appear to have exposed a gap in Russia's air defense system.

Late on July 24 (local time), Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian air force, said that the Pantsir air defense system installed on the roof of the Russian Defense Ministry, located about 300 meters from one of the drone attack targets, failed to prevent attacks from Ukraine.

Mr. Ihnat explained that Pantsir systems are only capable of firing at objects at high altitudes, not below, so this is a gap in Russia's defense system.

“I don’t know how the Pantsir system will shoot down UAVs or other aircraft at lower altitudes. The system is designed to shoot down high-altitude targets,” Ihnat said.

Pantsir air defense systems were deployed by Russia in January 2023 after Ukraine successfully launched an air attack on a target within Russian borders. Photos and videos on social media earlier this year showed Pantsir defense systems on the roofs of key government buildings in Moscow.

According to Newsweek, while other air defense systems such as the S-400 have more powerful firepower, the Pantsir system is suitable for use in urban environments. This system is designed for use at close range and combines anti-aircraft guns and missiles capable of intercepting high-speed air-to-surface missiles at a distance of 7km and aircraft at a distance of up to 20km.

Pantsir-S1 air defense systems have also been installed near the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Pantsir surface-to-air missile system is designed to protect military, administrative and industrial facilities from enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and precision weapons, and to enhance air defense capabilities when repelling massive air strikes.