Efforts by both Ukraine and russia to overcome enemy ground-based air defense systems remain one of the most important areas of the war. This is stated in an intelligence report published by the British Ministry of Defense, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that for Russia, the short-range anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) "Tor" (SA-15 Gauntlet according to NATO classification) plays a critical and largely effective role.
With a maximum range of 15 kilometers, the Tor SAM is used by the russian army's air defense units and is designed to protect the forward edge of ground forces.
SEE ALSO: British intelligence: Russia is beefing up its air defense before Ukraine receives Western fighters
At the same time, the Pantsyr (SA-22 Greyhound in NATO classification), operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, typically defends command posts, longer-range SAMs, and air bases.
British intelligence has stated that the Russians are particularly active in using the Tor air defense system to counter Ukrainian drones. This complex actually acts as the front line of the air defense network of the russian occupation forces in Ukraine.
At the same time, the ministry emphasizes that one of the key limitations of the Tor missile system in the current war is probably the endurance of its crew.
Given that each system has only three people, maintaining a high level of combat readiness for a long time is likely to be an extreme test of endurance
As a reminder,
After large-scale losses in Ukraine, Russia was forced to move strategic S-400 systems from Kaliningrad to the frontline in Ukraine.