The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) claims that due to increased drone strikes on the city, Russia is changing the defense strategy surrounding Moscow.
According to the MOD’s latest intelligence brief, Russia has adjusted the posture of its short and medium-range air defenses surrounding Moscow in recent weeks to better defend against the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes the city now suffers from daily.
The defense ministry reports that Russian SA-22 air defense systems have been seen on ramps and towers around Moscow beginning in early September.
The MOD reported that Russia had placed SA-22 on the rooftops of Moscow government buildings after the December 2022 attacks on the Engels and Ryazan air bases.
This is presumably done so that UAVs may be identified and engaged. But it’s also likely supposed to be a visible comfort to the public that officials are handling the situation.
It was the first significant drone strike on Moscow since the conflict began on May 30, although Ukraine did not claim it. Since then, Moscow has accused Kyiv of organizing a series of drone raids against the Russian capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously declared that assaults on Russian land are an unavoidable, natural, and fair process, even though Ukraine often avoids admitting responsibility for attacks on Russian property.
Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told the Kyiv Post in July that Moscow isn’t completely protected from drone attacks since the Putin government doesn’t have complete control over the skies.
According to Yusov, it’s evident that things will only become worse.
Russia-1, Russia’s national television network, aired a segment on the new air defense installation built in Moscow on September 3.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty claims that the shooting occurred close to Putin’s home in Novo-Ogarevo.
On September 4, Ukraine’s assistant to the minister of internal affairs, Anton Gerashchenko, said that authorities exclusively emphasize safety in Russia.
