Russia builds multi-layered air defense system to counter ATACMS missiles

Director of the program at the Russian Academy of Political Sciences - Mr. Alexander Stepanov revealed the above information to TASS news agency on November 27.

“As for our air and missile defense capabilities related to high-precision weapons, in particular ATACMS missiles, the response methods have been carefully developed. But the effectiveness will depend on specific factors in different regions. Because they are not only targeting military positions, but also trying to attack residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Therefore, every effort is being made to create a multi-layered air and missile defense system capable of intercepting ATACMS missiles and all other types of weapons,” Stepanov analyzed.

In addition, Mr. Stepanov also noted that this response method also applies to high-precision medium-range systems such as Tomahawk and many other weapons that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) can provide to Ukraine.

The expert also stressed that there are no restrictions on Moscow's use of weapons such as the Oreshnik missile in response to Kiev's attacks on targets within Russian territory.

The Russian Defense Ministry on November 26 accused the Ukrainian armed forces of carrying out two attacks with long-range weapons, specifically US-made ATACMS missiles, on targets in Russia's Kursk region over the past three days. One attack targeted an S-400 air defense battalion, causing casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry said it was monitoring the situation and assessing response options.

Ukraine rarely discloses what type of missiles or drones it uses to attack targets in Russia. However, the White House has acknowledged that Ukraine has used ATACMS. "They could use ATACMS in self-defense right now, if they needed to do so immediately. It would not be surprising to see that happening in Kursk and the surrounding areas," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on November 25.

On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian military had used Oreshnik missiles to attack a Ukrainian aerospace manufacturing plant. According to the Russian leader, the decision to launch the Oreshnik missiles was in response to the actions of NATO member states. He assessed the attack as successful.