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Unique Russian Pantsir-S1 Spotted for the First Time—Then Destroyed by Ukrainian Drone Strike
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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have destroyed a previously undocumented version of Russia’s Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound) air defense system, according to combat footage analyzed by the open-source intelligence group Exilenova+ on February 27.
OSINT group identified the vehicle as being mounted on an uncommon heavy Belarusian-made MZKT-7930 chassis, Defence Blog reported.
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Video released online captures the moment a Ukrainian strike drone hits the air defense system positioned near the front line. Analysts quickly noted that the vehicle’s configuration differed from standard Pantsir systems typically fielded by Russian forces, drawing attention to its unusual platform.
The standard Pantsir-S1 is most commonly mounted on the 8×8 KamAZ-6560 truck chassis, while less frequently seen variants have appeared on the BAZ-6309 platform or export configurations using the MAN SX45 vehicle.
According to the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Robert Brovdi, the system was hit on the outskirts of the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Defense analysts noted that the newly observed configuration had never previously been documented in operational service. A similar setup had only been seen as a display mock-up at a defense exhibition in 2009, making this strike the first confirmed visual evidence that the variant had entered active deployment.
Exilenova+ reported that the attack was carried out by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, a branch specializing in drone-based reconnaissance and precision strikes targeting high-value Russian military equipment.
The Pantsir-S1 is a combined missile-and-gun short-range air defense system designed to shield military formations and critical infrastructure from aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. It integrates radar detection with surface-to-air missiles and twin automatic cannons capable of engaging threats at close range.
Operationally, Pantsir systems serve as the final defensive layer protecting more valuable air defense assets, logistics hubs, or strategic installations. Their primary mission is to intercept threats that penetrate outer defensive rings, particularly low-flying drones and precision-guided weapons—making their loss near the front line especially significant.
Earlier, reports emerged that 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.
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