Ukrainian bomber drone took out another Russian Pantsir-S1

The defenders of Ukraine managed to destroy yet another Russian anti-aircraft system Pantsir-S1. A brand new bomber drone Backfire K1 was used in this operation.

Backfire K1 before launch. This bomber drone is launched with a catapult and lands with a parachute. (Screenshot)

In the occupied part of the Kherson region in Southern Ukraine, Russian soldiers tried to hide the Pantsir-S1 air defence system between trees. This kind of natural cover may work in the midst of summer. However, this extremely expensive weapon was detected by Ukrainian reconnaissance drones. After some time, the Russian weapon was visited by a Ukrainian drone Backfire K1. The rest of the story was pretty much an expected conclusion.

The loss of yet another Pantsir-S1 is a severe blow to Russian air defence capabilities. It is one of the most modern systems of its kind. Russia entrusts the protection of its state institutions to Pantsir-S1s. Not so long ago, Russians shared images of Pantsir-S1 systems being placed on rooftops in Moscow. Pantsir-S1 also protects the residence of Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

A single Pantsir-S1 is worth approximately 15 million US dollars. Although until recently there were quite a few Pantsir-S1 systems in Ukraine, now Russians are beginning to feel the shortage of this type of weapon. The defenders of Ukraine destroy Pantsir-S1s as soon as they spot them, but constant drone attacks in Russia mean that Russian forces have to deploy a portion of the available Pantsir-S1 systems on their own territory for the protection of strategic objects. Stretching Russian air defence capabilities is undoubtedly one of the goals of Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia.

The Pantsir-S1 is a short to medium-range air defence system, typically mounted on a wheeled 8×8 chassis. The Pantsir entered service with Russian forces in 2012 and since has been exported to several different countries. It is a completely new air defence system, which is why it is so expensive. The Pantsir-S1 is armed with 12 anti-aircraft missiles 57E6 or 57E6-E, which can attack targets at a distance of up to 20 km away and moving at an altitude of up to 15 km. In addition, the Pantsir-S1 engages drones and cruise missiles with two 30mm 2A38M autocannons with a rate of fire of up to 2,500 rounds per minute. The 2A38M autocannon destroys targets at a distance of up to 4 km. The crew of Pantsir-S1 consists of just 3 soldiers.

Interesting fact – the defenders of Ukraine captured one pretty much undamaged Pantsir-S1 at the very beginning of the invasion. That system probably was extensively examined for weak spots.

Meanwhile, the real hero of this story, the Backfire K1 drone, was first introduced only in 2023. After several months of testing at the front, it was decided to begin mass production of the Backfire K1. It is a catapult-launched drone that can carry a weight of up to 6 kg and has a range up to 35 km. It’s not a kamikaze drone – after completing a mission and dropping explosives, the Backfire K1 returns and lands with a parachute. Ukrainians claim that the Backfire K1 is immune to Russian electronic warfare.

Written by Povilas M.

Sources: Tech.wp.pl, Wikipedia