Russian Air Defenses in Crisis? Rare Pantsir-S1M Spotted in Crimea, Likely Pulled From Kerch Bridge Defense

A rare Pantsir-S1M air-defense system was spotted moving through occupied Crimea, prompting speculation that Russian forces have pulled the system away from guarding the Kerch Bridge—and that it may have been armed with one of the Kremlin’s newest hypersonic interceptor missiles, Ukrainian defense media outlet Defense Express reported on December 2.

Footage shared online shows the upgraded Pantsir-S1M traveling along a highway, reportedly headed toward the cities of Yevpatoria or Saky.

The system is the export variant of the Pantsir-SM and stands out from the older Pantsir-S1 models due to its KamAZ-53958 chassis and a distinctive square-shaped tracking radar. A similar unit had previously been positioned around the Kerch Bridge.

Given how few of these upgraded systems have been produced, analysts suggest the newly sighted launcher could be the same one earlier deployed around the bridge—though this remains unconfirmed.

Photos appear to show missile tubes of different diameters on the vehicle, hinting that it may have been equipped with two distinct types of interceptors.

The smaller tubes are believed to contain the standard 57E6-E missile. The larger ones appear to match the newer 57E6M-E, which reportedly reaches speeds of roughly 1,700 m/s—around Mach 5—with a range of 30 km and a “hit-to-kill” guidance method. The older 57E6-E has a 20 km range and a top speed near 1,300 m/s.

To achieve those higher speeds, the 57E6M-E uses a smaller warhead section and a substantially enlarged booster. As a result, both missile types have nearly identical overall lengths, but the newer interceptor requires a noticeably wider launch tube.

If the Pantsir-S1M has indeed been redeployed from the Kerch Bridge, it would signal a serious degradation of Russian air defenses in Crimea.

After repeated drone strikes and losses of various air-defense systems, Russian forces may be reallocating some of their most modern equipment—even at the cost of reducing protection around one of their most heavily defended sites.

The Pantsir-S1M is also designed to use the TKB-1055 (19Ya6) counter-drone missile, but production appears to have stalled. As a result, these missiles have not been observed on Russian launchers to date.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) chief Vasyl Malyuk revealed new details about the state of Russia’s air defenses, saying nearly half of all Pantsir-S1 systems have been destroyed since the beginning of 2025.

Truth is Under Attack

Help our reporters investigate lies, verify facts, and deliver truth from Ukraine’s frontlines.

DEFEND THE TRUTH