Watch: Russian soldier takes down Ukrainian drone with portable air defence system
A video has surfaced showing a Russian soldier using a portable Igla air-defense system to intercept a Ukrainian drone near Moscow. This incident occurs amidst an escalation in drone warfare between the two nations, with both sides reporting frequent attacks on military and civilian infrastructure.
Why it matters
The increased use of low-cost drones against high-value targets is changing modern warfare tactics and the reliance on portable air-defense systems.
A video of a Russian soldier firing a man-portable air defence system at a Ukrainian drone flying at low altitude over a major highway in the Moscow region, with footage of the reported engagement has emerged amid intensified drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine.The footage, shared on X by social media news aggregator Visegrád 24, allegedly shows a Russian soldier operating a 9K38 Igla man-portable air-defence system. The Soviet-era Igla, also known as a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS), is designed to engage low-flying aircraft and drones. It uses an infrared seeker to detect heat signatures, particularly from aircraft engines, and guide the missile towards its target.According to specifications cited by the CIA, the Igla entered service in 1983 and uses a solid-fuel rocket motor. It weighs about 10.8kg and has an operational range of around 5.2km, with a flight ceiling of approximately 3.5km.
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