Russia significantly extended its air defense perimeter around Moscow for Victory Day, building a new „ring” of Pantsir missile systems. At the same time, the Russian navigation service Yandex Maps „hid” President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, a strategy previously reserved for high-security military sites.
Draconian security measures have been implemented to protect the Russian capital for Victory Day, following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that this week reached just six kilometers from the Kremlin.
A multi-layered air defense network has been reinforced around Moscow, deploying over 100 anti-aircraft systems to protect the capital from potential Ukrainian drone attacks.
According to an investigation by Radio Liberty, based on OSINT satellite analysis, Russian forces have begun constructing an additional protective "ring" with Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems mounted on tall towers. The first tower of this new defensive layer was geolocated near the town of Kashira in the Moscow region as early as February.
The total number of air defense units - including Pantsir, S-300, and S-400 batteries - surrounding the capital has steadily increased since 2023, now exceeding 100 units. This development reflects a massive effort to recreate a layered defensive configuration, in a Soviet-style, often utilizing former military positions from the Cold War era, writes Kyiv Post.
This is how Moscow's air defense looks now:
Moscow Under Pressure from Ukraine
The concentration of defense around Moscow comes as the city faces an increasing threat from Ukrainian drones with long-range capabilities. On Monday, a drone struck an apartment on the 36th floor of a building on Mosfilmovskaia Street, just six kilometers from the Kremlin.
Prior to the May 9 parade, Russian authorities completely shut down mobile internet and SMS services in Moscow and St. Petersburg to prevent Ukrainian drones from using cellular signals for navigation.
Experts warn that the obsession with protecting the capital and elite residences could leave vulnerable Russian regions on the front lines, such as Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk, as air defense systems are redistributed to Moscow, notes the Ukrainian publication.
Volodymyr Zelensky noted on Monday that the lack of heavy military equipment at this year's Victory Day parade demonstrates that Moscow "can no longer afford" a traditional show of force as it strives to defend its own airspace.
Putin's Residence Hidden on Maps
On the other hand, the popular Russian navigation service Yandex Maps "hid" Vladimir Putin's residence in Valdai, an unprecedented move for civilian infrastructure in this country, reports Kyiv Post.
The location of Putin's villa has been blurred in satellite images, a measure previously applied only to sensitive military-industrial plants and defense installations.
The residence in Valdai, where Putin reportedly spends a lot of time, is now protected by over 25 dedicated air defense systems, according to the cited source.
No Watches at the Kremlin
Nexta mentions another unusual security measure implemented at the Kremlin: officials have been banned from wearing wristwatches during meetings with Putin.
According to Mozhem Obiasnit, a Russian Telegram channel, the new security measures were introduced in mid-April.
In recent images from the Kremlin, officials can be seen without wristwatches during meetings with the Russian president. Exceptions seem to have been made only for Putin's inner circle.
Putin himself has stopped wearing wristwatches during individual meetings, as mentioned by the cited source.
Russia Shifts to Mini Parades
The May 9 military parades took place in Russia in a reduced form - in Moscow, even without military equipment.
Once an opportunity to showcase Russia's vast military, including intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear capabilities, this year's Moscow parade lasted only 45 minutes and did not feature tanks or other military equipment rolling through Red Square.
Vladimir Putin occupied the central tribune on Saturday morning to attend the parade in Red Square, organized on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, as the Russians call the Second World War.
Traditionally, before the parade began, the Kremlin leader delivered a speech congratulating the Russian people on the holiday, recalling the heroic deeds of ancestors, and observing a moment of silence in memory of the fallen.
Aircraft and armament systems were showcased on TV instead of Red Square. Instead, North Korean soldiers paraded in front of the Russian president.
T.D.