The UK Ministry of Defence predicts that after the loss of several long-range SAM systems in Ukraine, Russia will have to weaken its air defense systems in other places.
This is mentioned in the intelligence review of the UK Ministry of Defence regarding the war in Ukraine on Thursday.
British analysts stated that Russia has likely lost at least four launchers of long-range SAM systems due to Ukrainian strikes in the past week. On October 26, 2023, Russian media reported that three Russian SA-21 (S-400) launchers were destroyed in the Luhansk region.
Ukrainian sources have reported additional losses in Russian air defense in Crimea.
As emphasized by the UK Ministry of Defence, Russia has long prioritized powerful, high-tech long-range anti-aircraft missile systems as a key component of its military strategy.
Recent losses highlight that the Russian integrated air defense system continues to grapple with modern precision-guided weaponry and will likely increase the already significant workload on the remaining systems and operators.
There is a real possibility that, in replacing the destroyed systems in Ukraine, Russia will weaken its air defense in other operational zones, according to British analysts.
