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Russian soldier downs Ukrainian drone as video footage circulating online shows a Russian soldier using an air defence system to intercept a Ukrainian drone near an oil facility in the Moscow region. The footage shows the soldier operating a 9K38 Igla portable air defence system while targeting the incoming drone.
The incident reportedly happened near an industrial energy facility. The use of a portable air defence system shows how such units are used to protect important infrastructure from drone attacks.
The drone was identified as a Ukrainian-made Liutyi long-range drone. It was reportedly flying at a low altitude while heading toward an energy-related target before it was intercepted.
Russian soldier downs Ukrainian drone
The incident highlights the growing use of mobile air defence teams to protect important industrial and energy facilities from drone attacks.
The video gives a closer look at how mobile air defence teams respond to drones near industrial areas.
The soldier used the Soviet-designed 9K38 Igla, a shoulder-fired air defence missile system. The system uses heat sensors to detect and track low-flying aircraft, including drones.
The drone involved in the Russian soldier downs Ukrainian drone incident appeared to have the design of a Liutyi long-range strike drone. The drone has a twin-boom design and can carry explosives over long distances. Ukrainian forces have used long-range drones to target fuel storage sites, oil facilities, and other energy infrastructure in western Russia.
Russian defence officials said air defence units intercepted and destroyed nearly 200 Ukrainian drones across several regions during overnight operations. Mobile air defence teams were reportedly deployed around important industrial facilities to respond to incoming drone attacks.
Defense analysts say stopping modern drone attacks requires different layers of defence. These can include electronic jamming, radar-guided missiles, and teams that can respond to drones at close range.
The incident near Moscow also shows that short-range, shoulder-fired air defence systems can still play an important role in protecting important facilities from drone attacks.
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