Hundreds of Air Defense Systems Shield Moscow and Putin's Residences, While russia's Strategic City of Taganrog Is Left Exposed

The russian city of Taganrog is located just 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and 180 kilometers from the front line. It is of strategic importance to the russian military and the country's defense industry.

However, despite its importance, reports have emerged that Taganrog has been left without air defense in recent days following strikes by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In particular, following the strikes, the city has been left without any Pantsir, S-300, or S-400 air defense systems, according to the Dosye Shpiona Telegram channel.

Read more: French AASM HAMMER Bombs Already Used by Ukraine's Air Force to Be Integrated into Its Gripen Jets

At the same time, Moscow and Putin's estates are surrounded by hundreds of different air defense systems, and their number is only growing over time. In other words, кussia has enough air defense systems to surround Moscow, but apparently not enough to protect a strategically important city like Taganrog.

To understand why Taganrog is far from an ordinary city for russia, it is enough to look at the enterprises and facilities located there. In particular, the PJSC Beriev Aircraft Company is one of the city's largest enterprises and one of just three facilities where Tu-95MS strategic bombers are repaired and modernized.

In addition, this company is the primary developer and manufacturer of the A-50 and A-100 Premier airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as the Be-200 amphibious aircraft. Furthermore, strikes by Ukrainian forces on the Beriev Aircraft Company have caused significant losses for the company. Therefore, to ensure its survival, it was enlisted to produce Molniya strike drones.

There is also a military airfield in Taganrog that is actively used by the russian military aviation. Since 2014, Taganrog has become an important logistics hub for russia, and since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its role in supporting the occupation forces has only grown.

Taganrog is also home to other drone manufacturing facilities and storage warehouses that have been periodically targeted by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. All of this represents only a fraction of the facilities located in the city.

With Taganrog left without air defenses, the Defense Forces of Ukraine will be able to strike the occupiers' critical infrastructure even more effectively, while air defense systems are being actively redeployed to Moscow to preserve the country's "image" and protect the russian leadership, particularly Putin.

Read more: Poland Gets Fresh $4B U.S. Loan for F-16 Upgrades, Patriot and Apache, Total Borrowing Hits $11B Since 2022

---