Ukrainian forces strike key Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system
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 we remember as having considerable capabilities. Its resources are rapidly being depleted in Russia.
The recording of the attack on the Pantsir-S1 was published on X, on the official account of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. From the accompanying description, we learn that the incident took place somewhere in the Kherson region. The target was eliminated despite an attempt by the Russian crew to escape.
Attack of Ukrainians on Russian Pancyr-S1
It is worth noting that the Pantsir-S1 is one of the more modern pieces of equipment used by the Russians. It began entering service in the 1990s. It is highly valued by the Russians themselves, who use it not only in the war in Ukraine but also on their territories. The Pantsir-S1 systems are responsible, among other things, for protecting Moscow and Vladimir Putin's winter residence in Sochi.
It 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 19 kilometres away and at an altitude of up to 14 kilometres. The auxiliary armament consists of 2A38M automatic cannons of 30 mm calibre with a maximum rate of fire of 2,500 rounds per minute. Their range is about 4 kilometres. Target detection is handled by an onboard infrared sensor in collaboration with radar, allowing for target tracking at distances of up to 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 equipment.
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 more significant wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
