In russia’s Pskov region, close to the Estonian border, the governor has organised volunteer security patrols to interdict further unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against Kresty air base, the UK Defense Intelligence reports. Reportedly up to 800 citizens have signed up to join the patrols. This initiative follows the reported damage of two IL-76 CANDID transport aircraft on August 29, 2023.
Due to the limited range of quadcopter UAVs, the attacks were on the base almost certainly launched from within the russian federation. The patrols will consist of groups of 50 divided among multiple municipalities which will patrol border areas and critical infrastructure, particularly airports and airbases.
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The creation of these volunteer security patrols will likely act as a deterrence and provide a level of defence against quadcopter UAVs being operated from the immediate vicinity of the air base. Historically it has proven difficult to destroy UAVs using small-arms fire, so russian forces will still require air-defence systems, with a surveillance capability and both kinetic and electronic means of interception, to destroy attacking UAVs. The use of volunteers highly likely indicates a shortage of trained security personnel within russia.
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