Ukraine’s strike operations have forced Russia to make ‘difficult decisions’ regarding the allocation of its limited air defence resources, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
‘Ukraine’s intensification of strike operations at long and medium ranges places additional demands on air defence systems in Russia’s operational and deep rear, which complicates the task facing Russian air defence, given the vast territory and significant number of targets that Russia must defend… Ukrainian strikes, which have put Russian air defence radar stations out of action over recent months, are also likely contributing to Russia’s inability to adequately repel attacks even in areas with reinforced air defence,” the report states.
Problems with the operation of the Russian air defence system, particularly around Moscow, were exposed by a massive attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 18 June, during which an oil refinery in Kapotnya was hit and likely temporarily put out of action.
As noted by the television and online network ‘Nastoyashchee Vremya’ (created by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for a Russian-speaking audience), despite the ‘layered’ structure of this defence and several ‘rings ’ of air defence around Moscow—which the Russian authorities have repeatedly highlighted—several drones managed to reach the refinery. Neither the ‘Pantsir’ air defence systems on the approach to Moscow nor the mobile units already within the city itself – which used ‘Igla’-type man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) as well as Kalashnikov assault rifles – were able to shoot them down.
The Telegraph reported on 22 June that Russia had redeployed a ‘Pantsir’ air defence system from an unspecified area on the front line and installed it on a tower near the Moscow oil refinery. The newspaper noted that a photograph of the relocated system shows that only two of the standard six launchers are present on one side, suggesting that Russia may be suffering from a shortage of ‘Pantsir’ interceptor missiles.
The Ukrainian military regularly carries out strikes against Russian oil industry facilities. In late May, Reuters reported that, due to attacks by Ukrainian drones, almost all major oil refineries in central Russia had been forced to halt or reduce production.
Residents of the Belgorod and Ryazan regions, the Krasnodar Krai and many other regions of Russia had previously complained about shortages of petrol and diesel at petrol stations. Restrictions on fuel sales have been introduced in many regions. In particular, there have been reports of petrol purchase limits at the largest petrol station chains in Moscow.