An intelligence report by the UK Ministry of Defense, published on Dec. 3, highlights the ongoing contest between Russia and Ukraine to overcome each other’s ground-based air defense systems as a crucial aspect of the war. The report emphasizes the critical role played by the Tor short-range air defense missile system in Russia’s air defense strategy. This system is utilized by the Russian army’s air defense units to protect the front line of ground forces.
In addition, the report mentions the Pantsir air defense systems operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, which are primarily responsible for safeguarding command nodes, longer-range SAMs, and Russian air bases.
UK intelligence specifically notes the active use of the Tor surface-to-air missile (SAM) system by Russia to counter Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), serving as the primary layer of the Russian army’s air defense network in Ukraine.
However, a key challenge faced by Russia in the ongoing conflict is the endurance of the Tor system’s crew. With each system manned by only three individuals, maintaining a high level of combat readiness for an extended period presents a significant test of endurance.
Furthermore, the report details Russia’s decision to move the S-400 air defense system from Kaliningrad Oblast to compensate for recent losses on the Ukrainian front, as reported by UK intelligence in November 2023.
This intelligence assessment underscores the importance of countering air defenses in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war and the strategic significance of ground-based air defense systems in the conflict.
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