Below, a twitter thread discussing a recent increase in the appearance of air defense systems in and around Moscow, including Vlad Putin;s digs. The optimistic way of looking at this: every missile placed near Russia is a missile not placed near Ukraine. The pessimistic outlook: you generally don;t go to this kind of bother and expense to take weapons systems *away* from an ongoing conflict unless you have a reason to. It seems the Russians seem to think that the conflict is going to expand to aircraft attacking Moscow. Do they think the Ukrainians are going to do that? Or are they expecting NATO to do that? if so, keep in mind that the excuses being used include “it was a pre-emptive strike against Ukraine because they were going to attack *us.*”
Another possibility is they’re afraid of elements of the Russian Air Force deciding to go a wee bit off mission.
Air defense system spotted near one of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's residencies in Moscow Oblast. Yesterday, air defense systems started to appear on top of high buildings in the city of Moscow, including the Russian defense ministry. #WhatAirDefenseDoing pic.twitter.com/0sZLUKQLP7
— Euan MacDonald (@Euan_MacDonald) January 20, 2023
2 responses to “More disturbishment out of Russia”
Ukraine has struck at airfields; Moscow is within range. I’d be a little surprised if the Russians didn’t start moving air defence assets there.
Another analysis, this by Trent Telenko, sees this as “coup-proofing” the capitol by Putin.
In many an authoritarian regime the most likely branch of any military to lead a coup against the dictator is the air force as operating an air force requires a high level of logistical planning ability. Just the sort of ability necessary to lead a coup.
Hence, in many an authoritarian regime, the tyrant makes sure that the only air force units at the capitol are the nation’s best fighter interceptors. And that any ground attack units are far, far away from the capitol.
No army units allowed near the capitol either. Especially not any heavy weapons ones such as armor. The internal security forces – those scrupulously loyal to the ruler – are around to keep everyone under control in the capitol. Especially the guys manning the air defense units.
So, Vlad’s setting these Pantsir units up around the Kremlin? That’s his showing what he really fears – his own military.