Ukrainian drones disrupt Crimean defences, foreshadow larger strikes
Ukrainian drones are effectively destroying Russian air defence systems in Crimea, which could be a prelude to larger attacks, claims military expert Pavlo Narozhny on Radio NV.
Ukrainian drones are successfully targeting Russian air defence systems in Crimea. According to military expert Pavlo Narozhny, these actions may indicate more intensive attacks on deeper areas of the peninsula. For the Russian armed forces, Crimea is crucial as a logistics base, making it a strategic target.
- The recent Ukrainian attacks have been quite successful. They might be a prelude to the next, more powerful strikes deeper into Crimea, when fuel and ammunition bases will be destroyed. However, even the destruction of the air defence systems alone is a blow to the enemy - Narozhny claims.
The effectiveness of Ukrainian drones
Narozhny emphasizes that Ukrainian drones have destroyed many costly Russian systems, such as radars and missile complexes. Russians are having difficulties defending against these small but effective devices. The production of new defence systems is costly and time-consuming, which further weakens Russian capabilities.
Russians protecting Crimea
Let's recall that Crimea, important to Russians, has long been protected by numerous air defence systems. The local army has previously deployed S-500, S-400, S-300, and Pantsir-S1 systems in the area to protect against air threats. The first of them, the S-500 Prometheus, can intercept targets at a range of up to 595 kilometres. It is designed to combat ballistic and hypersonic missiles, making it an advanced response to contemporary air threats such as airplanes, helicopters, and drones.
On the other hand, the S-400 is distinguished by its ability to simultaneously track up to 80 targets and guide 160 missiles. It can destroy objects up to 400 kilometres away, moving at altitudes up to 31 kilometres. This system is adapted to combat both airplanes and ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, the S-300, although based on older technologies, still serves as an effective anti-aircraft defence tool. It can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and destroy them at a range of up to 200 kilometres, with a maximum altitude of 27 kilometres. S-300 missiles can reach speeds close to 8,050 km/h.
The Pantsir-S1 combines artillery and missile systems. It is equipped with 30 mm calibre cannons that can fire up to 2,500 rounds per minute, destroying targets within a radius of 4 kilometres. Its missile section contains 12 launchers capable of striking objects at a distance of up to 19 kilometres and an altitude of up to 14 kilometres. This system includes two radars used for detection and targeting.