Russia is building a third, large-scale outer air defense ring around Moscow and its suburbs. The goal is to protect the capital from deep Ukrainian drone strikes, the Kyiv Post reports, citing military documents and satellite data.
As part of the inner defense layer, which closely encircles the Kremlin, the Russian military deployed heavy Mi-26T transport helicopters. They hoisted a new Pantsir-SMD-E system onto the roof of the Nordstar Tower business center in northern Moscow. This is already the fourth known Pantsir system permanently stationed on a Moscow office building.
In 2023, Russia had already installed an older Pantsir-S1 system on the roof of the Defense Ministry. Another followed on an office building southeast of the Kremlin, and a third on the main administration building of the Interior Ministry (MVD) north of the Kremlin. The new outer ring complements two existing structural rings of special drone defense towers, reminiscent of World War II flak towers.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
