Ukraine Destroyed Almost Half of All Russian Pantsir-S1 Systems

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have already destroyed 48% of Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense systems.

Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Malyuk said that this figure has been achieved since the beginning of 2025.

According to him, the Russians produce about 30 of these self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun systems annually, but “the number of destroyed systems far exceeds their production capacity.”

“Since the beginning of 2025, we have eliminated 48% of the enemy’s Pantsyrs. This is now our priority, determined by the President of Ukraine,” Malyuk emphasized.

The Dutch defense analytics website Oryx reports that at least 35 destroyed Russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems have been confirmed.

At the same time, some of the losses by the Russian side are classified, so the real numbers may be even higher.

“The enemy, let’s face it, has very strong air defense. The Pantsir is the most effective against our long-range drones,” the SSU head noted.

The last destruction of the Pantsir-S1 complex was recorded in late October, when drones from the SSU’s Special Operations Center ‘A’ hit Russian air defense systems in Crimea.

Also in October, a Ukrainian RAM-2X loitering munition flew more than 100 kilometers from the front line and hit a Russian anti-aircraft system at the Luhansk airport.

The Russian army has been using the Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile system in the war against Ukraine since 2014. The deployment of these systems was recorded in Donbas during the assault on the city of Debaltseve.

The Pantsir-S1 is a short-range anti-aircraft missile and gun system designed to protect troops and strategic facilities from air threats.

It combines two 30 mm automatic cannons and twelve guided missiles capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles. The system is equipped with radar and optoelectronic stations to ensure effective operation in all weather conditions and at night.