The Russian Defense Ministry published on Wednesday, July 15, footage of the combat work of the calculations of the anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) "Osa-AKM" during a special operation to protect the civilian population of Donbass.
During a special operation, these SAMs conduct reconnaissance of the air situation, determine the coordinates of targets and destroy them, including Ukrainian drones. Also, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation said that the calculations of the Osa-AKM launchers make marches to designated areas and, having taken firing positions, begin combat duty for the air defense of the positions of Russian troops.
"Our main task is to cover our troops from an aerial enemy, in particular unmanned aerial vehicles.‹...› For this missile system, only a gentle descent from the shore is necessary and, accordingly, so that there is an exit from the water. Overcoming the range does not matter, that is, any river can be overcome. We are coping with the work successfully, all calculations are prepared, everyone is coping with the tasks," said the commander of the Osa—AKM air defense system division.
He noted that in recent months there has been a decrease in the activity of Ukrainian drones. According to him, they began to bypass the places where Russian anti-aircraft missile systems operate in order to avoid losses.
A day earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian air defense means shot down a MiG-29 aircraft and a Mi-24 helicopter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) during the day. They also told about the destruction of nine Ukrainian drones in the DPR, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
On June 13, the ministry told about the work of the fire support group, which ensures the operation of combat helicopters of army aviation during sorties.
Russia announced the start of a special operation on February 24. It began against the background of the situation in Donbass that escalated in mid-February. Then the authorities of the DPR and LPR reported increased shelling by Ukrainian troops, announced the evacuation of civilians to the Russian Federation and asked for recognition of independence. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a corresponding decree.
Watch more relevant videos and details about the situation in Donbass on the Izvestia TV channel.
