Tor missile system
Almaz-Antey's short-range air-defence missile system; now guards Russia's Alabuga drone plant.
Satellite images from 21 October 2026 show Tor towers among at least 33 air-defence positions built since spring around Alabuga, the Tatarstan factory zone where Russia makes its Geran attack drones.
Last refreshed: 26 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why has Russia put Tor missile towers around its Geran drone factory?
Timeline for Tor missile system
Deployed on towers around the plant
Drones: Industry & Defence: Russia rings Alabuga with air defencesBackground
Satellite images from 21 October 2026, analysed by Radio Liberty and reported by Ukrainska Pravda, show towers for Tor and Pantsir short-range systems among at least 33 air-defence positions built since spring around the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, where Russia makes its Geran attack drones. Anti-drone nets also cover some workshops.
Tor (NATO name SA-15 Gauntlet) is a mobile short-range surface-to-air missile system built by the Kupol Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant, part of Almaz-Antey, and operated by Russia's armed forces. The current Tor-M2 carries 16 missiles, reaches targets up to about 16 km away, and can engage aircraft, Cruise Missiles, guided bombs and drones. Its operators also include Belarus, China, Egypt, Iran and Greece.
Putting Tor on raised towers at a factory gives its radar a clearer view of low-flying drones. The Alabuga build-up shows Russia now treats its drone plants as targets that need the same layered defence as its cities.
What is the Tor missile system?
Why is Russia putting air defences around Alabuga?
Who makes the Tor air defence system?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.