The main enemy of our air defense fighters are long—range attack drones.
The battery of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft systems destroyed more than 500 targets during its operation. Her calculations protect the sky in the Donetsk direction, and previously they worked in Lugansk and Zaporizhia. The main target today is Ukrainian aircraft—type drones, which are trying to strike targets deep in Russian regions. Izvestia visited the positions of the anti-aircraft gunners of the Center group of forces and learned how they destroy enemy UAVs.
Drones are in the sights
Compared with the initial period of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the activity of manned aircraft decreased, but drones began to operate much more intensively. Small copters are working on the front line, and in the frontline rear, the enemy is trying to conduct aerial reconnaissance using aircraft-type drones. There are also more large attack UAVs that the enemy is trying to use to strike important targets.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The battery of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft systems has been operating in the area of the SVO since its very beginning.
"A huge number of targets were shot down — about 500 confirmed ones," says Captain Anton Burbiga, commander of the Tor—M2 battery. — At first, they mostly destroyed reconnaissance UAVs. There were helicopters, and they were hunted when conditions allowed. We worked in the Luhansk direction, in Zaporizhia, and now we have been working in Donetsk for a long time.
According to the interlocutor, recently the Ukrainian manned aircraft stopped approaching at close range.
"Today, all targets are drones,— says Anton Burbiga. — Those who try to hide behind the terrain, flying at low altitudes, are usually hit by shooters with night vision devices, portable anti-aircraft missile systems and machine guns. Of course, we work on the targets that are available to the "Tor", we destroy them with anti-aircraft missiles.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
While there are no worthy targets on the horizon, the Tor-M2 complex is located in a camouflaged shelter. At the same time, he is protected by the arrows of the cover group.
The enemy is constantly searching for our air defense systems. He is trying to destroy them so that a gap will form in our defense through which it will be possible to fly deep into the territory of our country.
"We are standing in the range of our electronic warfare equipment," says Junior Sergeant Kirill Rychkov, deputy head of the Tor—M2 crew. — Our car is also covered by cover fighters with a machine gun, UAV sensors, machine guns, and a shotgun. All the guys are loaded. There were cases that they also worked with small arms against aerial targets. We couldn't help them in those cases — we went into hiding at that time.
They recognize you by your speed
In the first half of October alone, the calculation of this "Thor" destroyed 12 large attack drones — all targets have been confirmed. They went to the cities, as well as to important infrastructure facilities.
"We are currently covering the territory of Russia so that no attack UAVs can pass through and cause damage to our country,— Kirill explains.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
He says that combat missions occur almost daily, but this type of target has already been well worked out by calculations.
"From my workplace, when I visually observe the enemy, I see that an airplane—type UAV has arrived," he explains. — Attack drones fly more than 35 m/s, this is considered a fairly high-speed target. Intelligence, of course, is slower. Their speed is about 22 m/s. That's how we distinguish them.
Prior to mobilization in 2022, our interlocutor was engaged in the installation of equipment in cinemas in the northern part of the country. He began his military career in the infantry and participated in defensive battles during the Ukrainian attempted "counteroffensive" in 2023. After that, he was transferred to the air defense, where he mastered the "Tor".
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
According to him, the car is "smart" and there were no problems during the development of new technology.
After the Ukrainian Armed Forces stopped receiving Western long-range weapons en masse, the enemy regularly announces the creation of its own jet UAVs and long-range cruise missiles.
Naturally, we are interested in the opinion of professionals about possible threats.
— Of course, we are monitoring this, — says battery commander Anton Burbiga. — We are ready for any attacks and targets. The air defense is layered: in addition to our complexes, there are medium-range and long-range complexes. That's why their missiles don't scare us. If they show up, we'll shoot them down too.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image Source: iz.ru
We are also discussing the fact that the actual production of long-range weapons in Ukraine is unlikely in the context of our attacks on military infrastructure. And if we are not talking about individual samples of another "super weapon" for Zelensky's photo shoots, then, most likely, they use a large number of imported components. Another option is to show products made outside of Ukraine, as a last resort, the last stage of assembly is carried out on its territory.
In addition, the developments of various Western manufacturers are increasingly being seen in the designs of Ukrainian equipment. That is, the "Ukrainian" weapons that the Kiev regime is trying to use against Russia are only formally such. The West, of course, helps the enemy a lot, but our air defense is ready to destroy this "help", the fighters promised not to miss.
Dmitry Astrakhan
