Russians Switched to Outdated Missiles for Osa-AKM System

The Russian occupiers have begun to equip the Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems with outdated Soviet 9M33M naval version missiles.

This was reported by analysts of the Vodohrai group, who published the relevant photos of combat vehicles with such missiles.

Experts noted that to use these missiles, the Russians had to change the design of the 9A33BM3 combat vehicle of the Osa-AKM complex.

Instead of a standard launcher, the occupiers installed a modified one adapted to an older version of the weapon.

The 9M33M missile of the naval version is easily recognizable by the absence of a transport and launch container.

The container was introduced starting with the Osa-AK system to increase the protection of the missile during storage and transportation.

The use of missiles without containers indicates that Russian arms depots have started to deplete so they have to return to the oldest stockpiles from the Soviet era.

Analysts suggest that the decision to deploy such missiles is due to an acute shortage of regular 9M33M3 anti-aircraft guided missiles.

Similar signs of ammunition shortages are observed in other Russian air defense systems.

In particular, the Russian military already deploys only one or two missiles on the launchers of the Buk missile system.