Ukraine's drone assault exposes flaws in Russian air defences
Ukrainians are launching drone attacks on Moscow, but some of the destruction is caused by Russian air defence activities. We explain what struck the building and why it happened.
Ukrainians are consistently targeting Moscow with drones, yet some of the damage is self-inflicted by the Russians. Even though Russian propaganda typically blames the Ukrainians for such incidents, the truth is a bit more straightforward.
The two-stage construction of the 57E6 missile can be problematic
The missile fragment in the image is a booster from a two-stage missile used in the Pantsir-S1 air defence systems. These systems were once even placed on the roofs of government buildings using German cranes and later integrated into anti-aircraft tower systems around Moscow.
The missiles in the Pantsir-S1 system are composed of two stages. The first stage is a propulsion unit that detaches after roughly 2 seconds, designed to accelerate the missile to a speed of approximately Mach 3.8 (about 1,300 metres per second). Then, the second stage, which contains a rocket engine with different operational characteristics, a warhead, and a guidance system, continues towards the target.
This design results in the discarded booster eventually falling to the ground with enough kinetic energy to pierce a wall. In open areas, this is not a major issue, although it might cause a fire. However, the situation differs in densely built-up areas.
Pantsir-S1 - Russia's lowest-level air defence shield
Russian Pantsir-S1 systems were introduced to the Russian armed forces in 2012, despite work on them beginning in the 1990s. These systems were designed to be a more cost-effective alternative to the 2K22 Tunguska artillery-missile system. A similar cost-conscious approach was taken in France, where the new system was mounted on a truck chassis.
The Pantsir-S1 project faced financial challenges that nearly halted it. However, the United Arab Emirates took an interest in this promising system and provided financial backing. Thanks to investments from the UAE, the project was completed successfully, and the first Pantsir-S1 units were delivered to foreign clients before reaching Russian units. For instance, the United Arab Emirates began deploying this system at the start of the 21st century.
The Pantsir-S1 system is equipped with two radars, each serving a unique purpose: one for target detection and the other for guiding the weapons. Its arsenal includes two automatic 30 mm guns, capable of firing 2,500 rounds per minute, along with anti-aircraft missile launchers.
These launchers contain 12 missiles, either 57E6 or 57E6-E, arranged in two groups of six, allowing for simultaneous engagement of multiple targets. The missiles have a range of up to 19 kilometres and are guided by radio commands, making them fully reliant on the launcher until they reach their target.
