https://sputnikglobe.com/20261023/western-air-defenses-in-ukraine-crumble-before-russian-drone-campaign-1124929561.html
Western Air Defenses in Ukraine Crumble Before Russian Drone Campaign
Western Air Defenses in Ukraine Crumble Before Russian Drone Campaign
Sputnik International
The loss of two NASAMS air defense systems during the latest wave of Russian airstrikes is a serious blow to the Ukrainian military, military observer and retired Russian Army Colonel Viktor Litovkin explains to Sputnik.
2026-10-23T16:27+0000
2026-10-23T16:27+0000
2026-10-23T16:27+0000
analysis
military & intelligence
viktor litovkin
ukraine
russia
nasams
https://cdn.imgsputnikglobe.com/img/104570/33/1045703318_0:35:2700:1554_1920x0_80_0_0_f285feb77f2b89d5638d9867e620485f.jpg.webp
Losing these launchers means that key bridges, fuel and ammunition depots, command posts and military-industrial facilities in the areas where these air defense were deployed are now defenseless against further Russian airstrikes.Manufacturing NASAMS takes time, so the odds of Ukraine receiving new launchers in the near future are slim.Furthermore, key components of the missiles that the NASAMS use – AMRAAM-ER – are made by Raytheon, which is currently hard-pressed to replenish US munition stocks.While NASAMS is an efficient weapon, its limited payload and long reloading cycle make it vulnerable to massed drone strikes, not to mention that its missiles cost about a million dollars apiece, while Russian drones cost no more than $35,000.New models of Russian Geran drones, with their high flight altitude, speed of up to 700 km/h, resistance to jamming and a payload of up to 90 kilograms (high explosive or thermobaric) can beat even the more sophisticated air defenses.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20261023/russian-drone-strikes-hit-nasams-anti-aircraft-systems-in-zaporozhye-and-dnepropetrovsk-regions-1124926477.html
ukraine
russia
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
252
60
2026
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
252
60
News
en_EN
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
252
60
1920
1080
true
1920
1440
true
1920
1920
true
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
252
60
Sputnik International
military & intelligence, viktor litovkin, ukraine, russia, nasams
military & intelligence, viktor litovkin, ukraine, russia, nasams
Subscribe
The loss of two NASAMS air defense systems during the latest wave of Russian airstrikes is a serious blow to the Ukrainian military, military observer and retired Russian Army Colonel Viktor Litovkin explains to Sputnik.
Losing these launchers means that key bridges, fuel and ammunition depots, command posts and military-industrial facilities in the areas where these air defense were deployed are now defenseless against further Russian airstrikes.
Manufacturing NASAMS takes time, so the odds of Ukraine receiving new launchers in the near future are slim.
Furthermore, key components of the missiles that the NASAMS use – AMRAAM-ER – are made by Raytheon, which is currently hard-pressed to replenish US munition stocks.
While NASAMS is an efficient weapon, its limited payload and long reloading cycle make it vulnerable to massed drone strikes, not to mention that its missiles cost about a million dollars apiece, while Russian drones cost no more than $35,000.
05:15 GMT
New models of Russian Geran drones, with their high flight altitude, speed of up to 700 km/h, resistance to jamming and a payload of up to 90 kilograms (high explosive or thermobaric) can beat even the more sophisticated air defenses.