Moscow Deploys Shoulder-Launched Missiles on Streets Amid Ukrainian Drone Attacks

Videos circulating on social media platforms have captured Russian soldiers deployed across several streets in Moscow carrying shoulder-launched air defense systems, depicting unusual scenes that highlight the growing threat posed by Ukrainian drones to the Russian capital.

The footage shows military personnel stationed along busy highways and areas with heavy traffic, maintaining a state of readiness to respond to drones that targeted Moscow in recent hours.

Russian Air Defense Response to Drone Attacks

The videos gained widespread attention on social media, with viewers interpreting them as an indication of the pressure exerted by the increasing Ukrainian attacks on Russia's air defense network. Russian forces appear compelled to deploy teams equipped with portable missile systems around public roads, among vehicles and pedestrians, to counter low-altitude aerial threats.

This deployment coincided with a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow on Thursday night, which resulted in damage to an oil refinery located southeast of the capital, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Strategic Importance of the Targeted Refinery

The refinery, known as "MNPZ" and operated by Gazprom, is situated in the Kapotnya district. It supplies over one-third of Moscow's fuel needs, including fuel for the city's airports, based on company data.

This same facility had been targeted in a similar Ukrainian drone attack just days earlier, illustrating the ongoing focus on critical energy and fuel infrastructure deep within Russian territory.

Details on Deployed Air Defense Systems

The footage indicates that Russian forces are employing shoulder-launched air defense systems known as MANPADS, which are designed to intercept low-flying aerial targets such as drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles.

Among the notable Russian systems in use are the "Verba" (9K333), the most modern in service, notable for its resistance to thermal jamming techniques, and the "Igla-S" (9K338), intended for short-range aerial targets. Additionally, older-generation "Strela" systems remain operational for close-range air defense tasks.

Security Concerns and Moscow's Defensive Measures

The deployment of these systems within Moscow reflects heightened security concerns over the expanding scope of Ukrainian attacks. Moscow is actively reinforcing its defenses to safeguard vital facilities and strategic centers from repeated drone strikes.