Russia installs anti-aircraft missiles on key Moscow buildings in sabotage fears

25 January 2023 , 17:17

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Russia's Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Kremlin chiefs have set up massive Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems on key Moscow buildings amid dubious claims of Ukrainian saboteurs in Russia.

Crucially the systems have been set up on government and political buildings, plus VIP homes in a sign of Kremlin paranoia over civil war breaking out over war in Ukraine.

Russian intelligence is leaking claims of Kyiv’s SBU spies being in Russia and that they could launch an attack on prominent locations within Moscow.

But Russia experts say it is more likely the guns are aimed at preventing Russia’s militarised elite, such as the Wagner Group heads or even Chechen leaders revolting.

They may have access to attack drones which Russian President Vladimir Putin now fears could be deployed against the Kremlin itself.

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The missile systems have been set up on government and political buildings in Moscow

Experts say the threat to Moscow’s Kremlin elite from within comes not from Kyiv but from Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and Chechen chief Ramzan Kadyrov.

Both men, though so far loyal to Putin, have been scathing towards Russia’s regular military forces who have failed so far in their war in Ukraine.

Experts say no infrastructure targets such as transport hubs or bridges have been protected in the same way.

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Top Russia expert Bruce Jones explained: "All elements of the government and military are being tested and strained since Russia's attack on Ukraine and rivalries for power and leadership have now become acute.

"These types of drone attack are a neat way of doing things.

"Unlike usual terrorism or sabotage there is no risk in having to deploy and then extract personnel in order to place explosive charges. Drones "stand-off" weapons, that can be navigated in real time, and the whole operation is assisted by the availability of sources like Google Maps.

"These prominent anti-aircraft systems are reminder to Muscovites of the different dangers they now face as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

Chris Hughes