ukraine eyes strategic gains as russia shifts air defences
Ukraine might use the 9 May parade in Moscow as a chance to strike Russian military targets, suggests expert Pavlo Narozhny, as cited by the Ukrainian agency, Unian.
Ukraine could seize the opportunity presented by the 9 May parade in Moscow to attack Russian military targets. Expert Pavlo Narozhny explains that Russia is relocating its air defence systems to the capital, which in turn weakens other strategic locations. A total of 280 air defence systems are moving to Moscow, compromising the defence of other areas.
Moving air defence systems
Russia plans to transfer 280 air defence units to Moscow, potentially weakening the protection of other crucial military installations. Narozhny highlights that this situation allows Ukraine to target "exposed" sites such as arsenals or military bases.
- If they relocate 280 systems of various ranges, it indicates that some areas will be vulnerable. They will withdraw these systems from other combat zones. This presents an opportune moment for us to strike purely military targets, such as arsenals, military units, and airports - Narozhny notes.
Additionally, the expert emphasises that Ukraine has the technical ability to carry out attacks on military targets in Russia, even those near Moscow. An example is the previous strike on a Russian arsenal located about 69 kilometres from the capital, showcasing the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones.
Narozhny also observes that even the mentioned 280 air defence systems do not ensure complete protection of Moscow. - Moscow is a vast area, and this number of systems may not be sufficient - adds the expert. He further points out that Russia lacks equipment not only for the defence of Moscow but critically for the entire country. He estimates that to cover their entire territory, more than 1,000 S-300 and S-400 units are needed. - At best, they have 200 such systems - asserts Narozhny.
Russian air defence systems
Experts do not specify which particular units the Russians are moving to Moscow, but it is likely they include the commonly used S-300 and S-400 systems. The S-400 system can track up to 80 targets simultaneously and direct 160 missile launches. It can engage objects within a radius of up to 400 kilometres and at altitudes of up to 30 kilometres. This system is effective against both aircraft and ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, the S-300, despite being based on older technology, still plays an important role in air defence. It can monitor 100 targets simultaneously and can attack targets located at a maximum distance of 200 kilometres and at altitudes of up to 27 kilometres. The S-300 missiles can reach speeds of up to 8,000 km/h.
