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Fearing Ukrainian drone attacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin (71) vastly expanded the country’s air defense systems at the beginning of this year.
The Kremlin ruler spared no effort: entire forests were cut down in and around the Russian capital Moscow to make way for additional air defense systems. Air defense was also expanded in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
To feel safe from a Ukrainian attack, Putin had to dig deep into his pockets: each system cost him 15 million francs.
The whole effort now seems to have been for the cat. Less than a year later, the air defense systems in Russia are apparently dismantled again – and shipped to the front in Ukraine. This is proven by current satellite images analyzed by the Bellingcat research platform.
Social media users had noticed irregularities
According to the investigation, the Kremlin is said to have moved its valuable S-400 Triumph air defense systems from the Kaliningrad region to use them in the bloody war against Ukraine. “Exactly where they went remains uncertain,” the source told Newsweek.
According to the American think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the S-400 is a mobile surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia that can combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles and attack air targets with a range of up to 250 kilometers.
Bellingcat analysts only became aware of the dismantling of air defenses after social media users noticed an increase in Russian military cargo flights from the strategically important port city.
The investigative journalists then started their investigation and were ultimately able to demonstrate a significant change at two air defense locations. This suggests that at least some of the Russian S-400 systems have been relocated.
“Russian army overwhelmed by war”
But why is it that the Russians are suddenly moving their air defenses? It appears that Putin’s troops at the front are seriously lacking in equipment.
The British Ministry of Defense also comes to this conclusion, based on new analyses. The ministry said in a statement on November 9 that Russia must redeploy long-range missile systems to maintain coverage in Ukraine.
But one thing is clear to the British: “The redistribution of strategic air defense systems shows how the conflict in Ukraine is overwhelming the Russian military and straining its ability to maintain base defenses across its vast territory.” (dzc)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
