Ukrainian forces take out high-value Russian Pantsir-S1 in Kherson
11:23 AM EDT, August 18, 2024
A recording has surfaced online showing Ukrainians attacking the Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system. This is a painful loss for the invaders. The Pantsir-S1, a piece of equipment worth tens of millions of dollars, has capabilities that are rapidly depleting in Russia.
The recording of the attack on the Pantsir-S1 was published on X, on the official account of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The accompanying description reveals that the incident occurred in the Kherson region. The target was eliminated despite an attempt by the Russian crew to escape.
Ukrainian attack on Russian Pantsir-S1
It's worth noting that the Pantsir-S1 is one of the more modern pieces of equipment used by the Russians. It began to enter service in the 1990s and is highly valued by the Russians themselves. It is used not only in the war in Ukraine but also in their territories. The Pantsir-S1 systems are responsible, among other things, for protecting Moscow and Vladimir Putin's winter residence in Sochi.
It is a short- and medium-range air defense system that utilizes 57E6 or 57E6-E missiles, capable of eliminating targets up to 12 miles away and at an altitude of up to 9 miles. Its auxiliary armament consists of 2A38M automatic cannons of 30 mm caliber, with a maximum rate of fire of 2,500 rounds per minute. Their range is about 2.5 miles. Target detection is handled by an onboard IR sensor in collaboration with radar, allowing for target tracking at distances of up to 19 miles.
Valuable but not perfect Russian equipment
The launchers used in the Pantsir-S1 are mounted on wheeled or (less frequently) tracked chassis, making them mobile.
Although it is one of the best in its class among Russian equipment, it is far from perfect. This was proven during the war in Syria. The Pantsir-S1 did not always perform as expected. The clashes in Ukraine have also shown that the Pantsir-S1 can be unreliable, particularly when struggling against British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The Ukrainians have already managed to eliminate many Pantsir-S1 units. The shortages of air defense systems within the ranks of the Russian army were evident during the larger wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
