Pantsir
Russian short-range air-defence gun-missile system; deployed widely against Ukrainian drones.
Last refreshed: 10 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Pantsir
Mentioned in: Ukraine lands 347 drones on Moscow's Victory Day
Drones: Industry & DefenceMentioned in: Drones hit S-400 depot in Sevastopol
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Mentioned in: Ukraine hits 20 Russian air defences
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Mentioned in: Storm Shadow hits Bryansk chip factory
Russia-Ukraine War 2026- How does the Pantsir air defence system perform against Ukrainian drones?
- Pantsir has shown mixed results against Ukrainian drones in combat. Multiple units have been destroyed by Ukrainian strikes while engaged, partly because saturation attacks can exceed its engagement rate. Russia still deploys it heavily for point defence of high-value sites.Source: Open-source intelligence / Ukrainian General Staff reports
- What is the Pantsir missile system?
- Pantsir is a Russian short-range air-defence system combining surface-to-air missiles (57E6, range up to 20 km) with twin 30 mm autocannons on a single vehicle. It is designed to protect against aircraft, helicopters, Cruise Missiles, and drones at ranges up to 20 km.
- Has Russia deployed Pantsir to protect Moscow from drone attacks?
- Yes. Russia deployed 101 air-defence systems around Moscow, including Pantsir units, for the 9 May 2026 Victory Day parade after Ukraine launched 347 drones against Russian territory on the night of 8-9 May.Source: Russian Defence Ministry / Moscow Mayor's office
Background
The Pantsir (NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound) is Russia's primary short-range air-defence system, combining 57E6 surface-to-air missiles with twin 30 mm autocannons on a single tracked or wheeled platform. Designed to fill the gap between long-range S-300/S-400 batteries and man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADs), Pantsir units have been deployed extensively across Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. Russia has committed the system to high-value point-defence roles, including protection of the Kremlin complex and critical infrastructure.
In the Ukraine conflict, Pantsir has been used to intercept Ukrainian drones and Cruise Missiles with mixed results. Multiple Pantsir units have been destroyed by Ukrainian strikes, including while engaged in active operations, producing widely shared video evidence. Russia deployed 101 air-defence systems around Moscow for the 9 May 2026 Victory Day parade, Pantsir among them, after Ukraine launched 347 drones against Russia on the night of 8-9 May.
Exported to the UAE, Algeria, and other customers, Pantsir represents Russia's main mid-tier air-defence export product. Its performance in combat conditions has informed ongoing debates about the system's radar and targeting limitations against small, slow drone threats, where saturation attacks can overwhelm its engagement rate.
