The head of the Ministry of Defense also announced the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the special operation
The losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the special military operation amounted to almost half a million people, and our army dispelled myths about the superiority of Western weapons during its operation. This was announced on April 23 at the board of the Russian Defense Ministry by its head Sergei Shoigu. He also announced the imminent delivery of the first samples of S-500 systems to the troops and a twofold increase in the production of the Pantsir air defense system. An effective short-range missile and cannon system is necessary to combat drones, which are increasingly being used on the line of contact, experts believe. These systems are capable of solving many tasks: escorting columns, covering the positional areas of the S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft complexes and other units.
Strengthening air defense
Supplies to the troops of the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon complexes will almost double this year, its head Sergei Shoigu said at a board meeting of the Ministry of Defense.
The Pantsir-SM modification is considered the most modern short-range air defense system. These complexes received a new radar with an active phased array, as a result, the target detection range increased from 32-36 km to 75 km. The maximum damage distance is 40 km.
Small-caliber ammunition is being developed for the "Shells", Izvestia previously reported. They use a control system and a warhead that are close in capabilities to conventional Pantsir missiles. The new ammunition will be very effective against drones, and will also be able to be used against ATGMs, MLRS shells, anti-radar missiles and other means of air attack.
The minimum area of destruction of air targets by such missiles will be reduced to 500 m. The full ammunition load of the anti-drone installation can be up to 48 missiles.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
— The "shells" in the troops are very necessary. They have shown complete effectiveness in all matters: both in escorting columns, and in covering the positional areas of the S-300 and S-400 anti—aircraft complexes, and in protecting cities," Aytech Bizhev, ex-deputy head of the Air Force for the CIS joint Air defense system, told Izvestia. — Moreover, they will be modified, with enhanced combat capabilities.
According to the general, a sharp increase in the supply of "Shells" is a response measure to the saturation of the line of contact with drones.
"Against UAVs, these complexes proved themselves effectively back in Syria, when they repelled a massive drone raid," he recalled. — They are excellent at covering airfields. A very good, versatile short-range complex.
As Sergei Shoigu said on April 23, this year the troops will receive the first samples of the new generation S-500 anti—aircraft missile system in two modifications - long-range complexes and missile defense systems.
In addition, the supply of S-400, S-300V4, Buk-M3, Tor-M2U, and new generation radar stations will continue.
Photo: TASS/Vitaly Nevar
Image source: iz.ru
To date, the share of modern samples is 82%, the minister said. This figure should be increased to 85% in the next two years.
The head of the military department cited data on the effectiveness of Russian air defense systems since the beginning of the special military operation. According to him, since the beginning of hostilities, more than 22 thousand drones and about 6 thousand rockets have been destroyed, including more than 3.5 thousand HIMARS MLRS ammunition and 361 Vampir projectiles.
During the same period, 592 aircraft, 270 helicopters, 349 anti-aircraft guided and tactical ballistic missiles, 329 guided and 278 anti-radar missiles, 37 balloons were shot down.
— The regional authorities of Moscow, Moscow, Leningrad, Belgorod regions and Krasnodar Territory make a significant contribution to improving the effectiveness of the air defense system of facilities. With their support, units to combat unmanned aerial vehicles are being formed, positions for anti—aircraft missile and radio engineering troops are being equipped," Sergei Shoigu noted.
They took over the initiative
In a speech at the board of the department, the minister spoke about the course of the special military operation. Russian troops have the initiative along the entire line of contact and continue to squeeze the enemy out of the occupied lines.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The settlements of Pervomaiske, Bogdanovka and Novomikhailovka of the Donetsk People's Republic have been liberated, and the control zone in Berdych and Georgievka is being expanded.
Russian troops are constantly exerting fire on the enemy, preventing him from holding the line of defense.
— Washington intends to allocate almost $61 billion to the Kiev regime to prevent the collapse of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Most of the appropriations will go to finance the military-industrial complex of the United States. The American authorities cynically declare that Ukrainians will die for their interests in the fight against Russia," the head of the military department said.
He cited data on large-scale losses of Ukrainian troops.
— In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, [their] losses have amounted to almost half a million soldiers. The Kiev regime failed to achieve its goals in a counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors. Our servicemen have dispelled the myth of the superiority of Western weapons," the Defense minister said.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
Shoigu assured that Russia will continue to increase the production of the most in-demand weapons and military equipment, increase the intensity of attacks on logistics centers and storage bases of Western weapons, and its armed forces will continue to solve the tasks set until the goals of the special operation are fully achieved.
New military districts
The head of the military department also spoke about the results of the work on the formation of the Leningrad and Moscow military districts.
— Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance in early March increased military and political tensions in the western and northwestern strategic directions. Today, the grouping of NATO reinforcement troops at our borders numbers up to 33 thousand people, about 300 tanks and more than 800 other armored combat vehicles. The headquarters of the Security Assistance Group of Ukraine has been deployed in Germany on the basis of the joint command of the Armed Forces of the United States of America in the European Zone," the minister said.
Right now, a series of exercises of the united Armed Forces of NATO is taking place, in which up to 90 thousand people participate in order to practice repelling the allegedly impending Russian aggression. In addition, the alliance is trying to increase activity in the Arctic.
Such actions by Western countries force Russia to apply adequate response measures, the minister said. He recalled that in 2022, President Vladimir Putin decided to reorganize the Western Military District into the Leningrad and Moscow military districts. Since March 1, they have received all relevant instructions and have started to carry out tasks.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the training ground of the Moscow Military District
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vadim Savitsky
When the Leningrad Military District was created, in particular, the 44th Army Corps was formed, and three motorized rifle brigades will be reorganized into divisions. Within the framework of military construction, deliveries of more than 7 thousand units of weapons and military equipment are envisaged in LenVO.
The troops of the Moscow Military District will receive more than 2.4 thousand units of modern weapons and equipment, the minister said.
Earlier, Izvestia reported that the Ministry of Defense has formed a separate missile brigade in Karelia, which is armed with Iskander-M tactical complexes. The new unit became part of the Leningrad Military District along with two army corps — the 11th, parts of which are located in the Kaliningrad region, and the 14th, stationed in the Murmansk region.
Roman Kretsul