ISTANBUL

Ukrainian forces have destroyed nearly half of Russia’s Pantsir air defense systems since the beginning of the year, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) head Vasyl Malyuk claimed during a briefing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Malyuk said that despite Russia’s strong air defenses, Ukrainian defenders have achieved “significant successes” against Pantsir systems, which are designed to counter long-range drones.

“From the beginning of 2025 until today, we have destroyed 48% of enemy Pantsir systems. This is a priority set by the president of Ukraine,” he noted.

He added that Russia produces around 30 such systems annually, but the number destroyed already exceeds this figure.

The Pantsir-S1, adopted by the Russian army in 2012, is used to defend key facilities from aerial threats such as aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. The upgraded Pantsir-S2 model has a modernized radar capable of detecting targets over 40 kilometers away.

The Pantsir systems combine surface-to-air missiles and rapid-firing cannons, capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) and altitudes of 15 kilometers (9 miles).

Russian authorities have not yet responded to the claims.