Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to modernize anti-missile defense systems in Moscow on Wednesday following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.
Several air defense systems have appeared on rooftops around Moscow this year amid fears that Ukraine, supplied with advanced weaponry from its Western allies, could be capable of targeting Russia's capital.
"This year we will complete the modernization of the anti-missile defense systems in Moscow," Shoigu told army officials.
He said that developing defensive weapons was "one of the priorities" for the army.
Shoigu added that the army would also form an "air defense division brigade that will be trained and equipped with new generation S-350 air-to-surface missile systems."
He did not mention if these were new plans or if they were related to the war in Ukraine.
Drone attacks on Russian territory and on Moscow-annexed Crimea have increased in recent months, more than a year into the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.
On Wednesday, authorities in Crimea claimed the Russian navy "repelled" a drone attack in the port of Sevastopol.
… we have a small favor to ask. As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.
Remind me later.
