The new modification of the complex effectively acts against American drones
Enemy drones threaten our troops not only directly on the front line, but also at a distance from it. Enemy scouts and kamikaze drones are being fought with the help of the modern Tor-M2 air defense system. This version of the complex not only has an expanded ammunition package compared to its predecessors, but is also effective against unmanned aircraft. Izvestia learned how the anti-aircraft gunners of the Center group are on combat duty in the DPR and what goals they face.
They shoot down all kinds of drones
— We hit reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as "switches" (Switchblade barrage ammunition manufactured in the USA. — Izvestia), everything that threatens in the sky. Our car is good, the crew is prepared. But most importantly, our commander is professional," says Sergeant Alexander Ivanov.
The appearance of a new modification of the American kamikaze drone "Switchblade" in the Donetsk direction is the latest news that is being discussed. In a short period, they were encountered quite massively. The identified fragments of the UAV make it possible to assume that this is a Switchblade 600 model with a range of up to 40 km. Previously, only the Switchblade 300 model, a small portable kamikaze drone, was massively used in Ukraine, which was delivered to Ukraine in 2022 and was used without much success as a front-line reinforcement. A special feature of both Switchblade models is the design with folding wings, thanks to which it can be carried in a compact launch container and quickly prepared for use.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
In addition to them, the Ukrainian unmanned reconnaissance aircraft Leleka and Furia remain a threat. The enemy uses them to search for targets in the rear, so anti-aircraft gunners, after destroying the UAV, should immediately take the vehicles to spare firing positions. Often, one drone is used to open positions and further aim missiles at them.
Sergeant Alexander Ivanov, at the age of 42, has been serving for the second year in the special military operation zone, where he came as a volunteer. Before that, he had not served in military service, but in civilian life he worked as a roofer.
— My son-in-law died here, he was mobilized. And I went—why would my son-in-law go and I would stay at home? My wife reacted badly at first, but then she realized that it was necessary to defend the Homeland so that the enemy would not get to our family. The children were worried, of course. They are still worried, but they understood. There was no combat experience, they had already taught everything here. All I can do is thanks to my commander. It's very easy to work with him, even though he's young, but he's a very good commander," Alexander explains. During his service, he, among other things, participated in the destruction of an American reconnaissance UAV, for which the calculation was submitted to state awards.
At the helm of the combat vehicle, the mechanic-driver is private Igor Siryukov.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
He is 55 years old and, according to him, he has been driving KaMAZ trucks all his adult life, so the management and maintenance of the Tor was relatively easy for him. He also volunteered for the service.
— I'm tired of watching civilians being mocked here. If not me, then who else? I was watching the news, and again, somewhere, in my opinion, in Donetsk, there was a rocket attack, many people were killed, including children. Well, God himself ordered for the children. I have two children and three granddaughters. The eldest is in her fifth year, and the youngest is only in her fourth month," says Private Siryukov. He applied through the website of Gosuslugi while he was at work, and then informed his family of his decision. The son supported his father immediately, his wife and daughter were upset at first, but now they have accepted and fully support him.
Igor says that after each launch, he has to leave as quickly as possible and in the first combat trips the adrenaline went through the roof, but now he feels calm, such a ride has turned into work for him.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Taking into account the dangers, a large group first aid kit is equipped in the car, and all the fighters received special medical training, but Igor says that, fortunately, it has not been possible to put it into practice.
— We have all combat missions without consequences. A very good head of the calculation, a young boy, but smart. Well done, he grasps everything straight. Somewhere we help him in some way, but he never refuses to help. And he will help to repair the car, and in combat work, and if something is unclear, he will always tell you. There would be more such commanders of calculations, maybe they would have already ended the war," Igor says.
The driver and operator calmly and confidently talk about their combat missions and talk about the commander with paternal smiles. According to a common habit among volunteers and mobilized, they call the service a job. Simonov wrote in his novels about how during the Great Patriotic War, along with the arrival of a large number of conscripts in the army, such civil words as "work" and "economy" appeared. And these words, together with the calmly told stories about the decision to join the army, make the analogy with the characters of the Soviet writer quite obvious.
The Commander's Way
The commander of the calculation, Second Lieutenant Ivan Bezmylov, really looks young. But he is a professional anti-aircraft gunner with seven years of experience, of which two and a half years were spent on his own. He began his service as a driver mechanic at the Osa air defense system and then passed all positions, training at the new Tor complexes, distinguished himself in a combat situation. He received his first officer's rank and position six months ago. Unlike artillery, the commander of the anti—aircraft gunners is an officer's position, not a sergeant's.
— SVO is a constant life and combat experience. And when this is over, there will be something to teach the next generation. My first combat mission was at night. After two and a half hours of work, they spotted the target, contacted the higher command, they said: "Enemy — shoot." There he already mechanically began training, then the key is to launch," Ivan recalls his first combat target, which turned out to be the Ukrainian unmanned reconnaissance aircraft Leleka.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The goals in the calculation of Second Lieutenant Bezmylov are not counted. But the combat vehicle has a personal name.
— The car is a "Badger" because it purrs constantly. If it works, then everything is fine," Ivan explains with a smile.
The modification of the Tor-M2 air defense system was created before the start of the SVO, but Ivan Bezmylov shows us one of the new products this year — five-millimeter screens made of armored steel along the hull and light screens against kamikaze UAVs around the tower. All these are already standard factory products — the industrial embodiment of the army "tuning" of equipment, which was previously produced by necessity in the units.
Dmitry Astrakhan
