CNN: Satellite imagery confirms anti-aircraft system at Valdai villa
An air defense system installed near President Putin’s summer residence in Valdai, north of Moscow, Russia. Satellite image provided by Maksar Technologies. (CNN capture) 2024.07.20. *Resale and DB prohibited
(Seoul = Newsis) Reporter Gu Ja-ryong = As Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia’s interior across the border have become more daring, Russia has strengthened air defense facilities at President Vladimir Putin’s summer residence north of Moscow, CNN reported on the 19th.
Satellite images provided by Barracks Technologies show several Pantsir-S1 air defense systems installed around the presidential residence in the forest near Lake Valdai in the Novgorod region.
The Valdai mansion could be a target of attention as Putin is known to spend his summers there. The mansion is located in Valdai National Park between two lakes. The 40-hectare site is surrounded by water on three sides and is fenced off from the rest of the park.
Satellite images first reported by Radio Liberty show that the Russian Pantsir-S1 missile traveled to the area sometime between September last year and May this year.
At the time, Ukraine was becoming adept at developing and using drones capable of striking deep into Russia.
The Pantsir-S1 system is designed to counter short-range cruise missiles and drones, and its deployment near residential areas could be a response to Ukrainian drone attacks, CNN reported.
CNN has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment but has not yet received a response.
Ukraine’s drone program has expanded significantly since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, allowing it to strike hundreds of miles across the border.
This year, Ukraine has used drones to sink or seriously damage several Russian warships in the Black Sea.
◎ Sympathetic Media Newsis (email protected)
Source: www.newsis.com
