Russian 9K333 Verba MANPADS Mounted on Shahed Drone Shot Down by Darknode Battalion Soldiers

A man-portable air-defense missile system, which the Russians mounted on a Shahed drone, was shot down by soldiers from the Darknode Battalion of the 412th Unmanned System Brigade Nemesis of the Unmanned Systems Forces. The system is the Russian 9K333 Verba MANPADS.

It can be identified by the markings on the transport-launch container – 9P333 – as well as by its distinctive visual features.

The markings also indicate the manufacturing year – 2025.

The 9K333 Verba MANPADS is a relatively new air defense system adopted by the Russian army in 2015.

This was preceded by the development by the KB Mashinostroyenia from the city of Kolomna, and after that, comprehensive state tests were completed in 2011.

The 9K333 is an advanced version of the Igla-S system, which is a modification of the 9K38 Igla MANPADS.

Compared to the Igla, the new Russian Verba has an increased range of up to 6000 meters (according to other sources, 6400 meters) and an altitude capability of up to 3500 meters (according to other sources, 4500 meters), compared to 5200 meters and 2000 meters, respectively.

Despite being essentially an evolution of the Soviet system, the Russian Verba MANPADS uses electronic components of Swiss origin.

In the optical three-band seeker head of the 9M336 missile, a power converter from the Swiss company Traco Power was found.

Back in 2021, the Russians announced the upcoming replacement – the new Metka man-portable air-defense missile system. However, no new information about this system has been released since then.

The Verba MANPADS, in addition to being used in the portable version, can also be deployed as part of the Gibka-S air defense system.

The system is developed on the basis of the Tiger-M armored vehicle and allows for remote launching of guided missiles from Russian-made man-portable air-defense missile systems (such as Igla, Strela, etc.).