Destruction of Russian ‘Pantsir’ Systems: A Key Success for Ukraine’s Armed Forces against Enemy Air Defense
Ukrainian forces have achieved significant progress in combating Russian air defense systems, destroying more than half of the ‘Pantsir’ missile-gun complexes, which are considered among the most effective in the adversary’s arsenal.
Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service, stated that since the beginning of 2025, Ukrainian defenders have eliminated 48% of the Russian ‘Pantsirs’, significantly impairing the enemy’s ability to protect key targets and reducing their capacity to conduct large-scale air and drone operations.Maliuk emphasized that the ‘Pantsir’ systems remain a major threat to Ukrainian long-range UAVs, particularly attack drones.
Meanwhile, a manufacturer reports that Russia produces approximately 30 such systems annually, highlighting the importance of Ukrainian efforts to destroy these units.The head of the Security Service pointed out that this strategic effort is a top priority in the ongoing conflict, as each destroyed ‘Pantsir’ not only represents a tangible loss for Russia but also a crucial step in defending Ukraine from Russian air strikes.
He also mentioned that Ukrainian special forces carried out an operation this summer that resulted in the elimination of one of the three Russian ‘Oresnik’ units in the Astrakhan region—an important victory for Ukrainian intelligence.Ukraine continues to actively weaken the enemy on the military front, notably through successful strikes and destruction of critical air defense systems, which can significantly influence the course of hostilities and hinder Russian aggressive plans.