Ukrainians destroy crucial Russian air defence system in Kherson region
A recording has surfaced online showing Ukrainians attacking the Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system. This is a painful loss for the invaders. The Pantsir-S1, which has significant capabilities, is equipment worth tens of millions of dollars, and its resources are depleting rapidly in Russia.
Attack by Ukrainians on Russian Pantsir-S1
The recording of the attack on the Pantsir-S1 was published on X, the official account of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. According to the accompanying description, the incident occurred in the Kherson region. The target was eliminated despite the Russian crew's attempt to escape.
It is worth noting that the Pantsir-S1 is one of the more modern pieces of equipment used by the Russians. It began service in the 1990s and is highly valued by the Russians, who use it not only in the war in Ukraine but also on their own territories. The Pantsir-S1 systems protect Moscow and Vladimir Putin's winter residence in Sochi, among other locations.
The Pantsir-S1 is a short- and medium-range air defence system. It uses 57E6 or 57E6-E missiles, which allow for the elimination of targets up to 20 kilometres away and at an altitude of up to 15 kilometres. The auxiliary armament consists of 2A38M automatic cannons of 30 mm calibre with a maximum rate of fire of 2500 rounds per minute. Their range is about 4 kilometres. Target detection is handled by an onboard IR sensor in collaboration with radar, allowing for target tracking at distances of up to about 30 kilometres.
Valuable but not perfect Russian equipment
The launchers used in the Pantsir-S1 are mounted on wheeled or (less frequently) tracked chassis, making them mobile.
Although it is one of the best Russian equipment of its kind, it cannot be called perfect. This was already proven in the war in Syria, during which the Pantsir-S1 did not always perform as expected. The clashes in Ukraine also show that the Pantsir-S1 can be unreliable. For example, it struggles with British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The Ukrainians have already managed to eliminate many Pantsir-S1 units. The shortages of air defence systems within the ranks of the Russian army were visible during the larger wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
