Missile systems seen on Moscow rooftops draw no response from the Kremlin

• Kremlin has declined to confirm whether Russia is preparing to defend itself or not.
• An air defence system called Pantsir-S1 is made to defend against a range of weapons.
• Something that appeared to be an anti-aircraft weapon could be seen atop the ministry building.

The Kremlin has declined to confirm whether Russia is preparing to defend itself against potential attacks in the wake of social media posts showing missile defence systems installed on a number of Moscow rooftops.

Social media posts appeared to show a Pantsir-S1 mobile anti-aircraft system on the roof of a structure in central Moscow that is located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) east of the Kremlin, as well as a Pantsir on the roof of the Ministry of Defense building that is situated along the Moscow River and next to Gorky Park.

On Friday, something that appeared to be an anti-aircraft weapon could be seen atop the capital’s main ministry building.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, referred inquiries about whether Russia was concerned that Moscow might be a target, to the defence ministry on Friday.

“It is better to ask the defense ministry about all measures that are taken because they are responsible for ensuring the security of the country in general and the capital in particular,” Peskov told reporters.

A request for comment from the reporters was not immediately met with a response from the ministry.

An air defence system called Pantsir-S1 is made to defend against a range of weapons, such as aircraft and ballistic and cruise missiles.

Another Pantsir system was reportedly installed about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from President Vladimir Putin’s home in Novo-Ogaryovo outside of Moscow, according to independent Russian-language media.

Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko shared a video

The interior minister of Ukraine‘s advisor, Anton Gerashchenko, shared a video on social media that appeared to show the anti-aircraft near Putin’s home.

“What is going on, one wonders?” Gerashchenko wrote.

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Another air defense complex was spotted in Moscow region, 10 km from Putin's residence.

The video was reportedly taken on 6th January near Zarechye village, Odintsovo district. Supposedly it is Pantsir C1.

What is going on, one wonders? pic.twitter.com/UNeuiJRMZ4

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) January 20, 2023

S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile units were reportedly spotted at an agricultural institute in the capital as well as close to the expansive Losiny Ostrov forest park on Moscow’s northern border, according to reports from earlier in the week.

On Twitter, security analyst Michael Horowitz suggested a few potential explanations: The Kremlin leadership may be worried about the threat of a coup, which he acknowledged was a “wild guess,” or Russia may be worried about “Ukrainian attacks against Moscow,” the Russian leadership may be trying to play up the threat of Ukrainian attacks.

A sure sign things are going well for #Russia:

A pantsir air defense system has been deployed on the roof of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow

🙃 pic.twitter.com/2y6Xa81S32

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) January 19, 2023

Moscow has claimed that Ukrainian forces are responsible for drone assaults on military facilities located far inside Russian territory.

Despite sending Ukraine military aid worth billions of dollars from the US and other NATO members, US President Joe Biden has stated that Washington will not send any equipment that could be used in attacks inside of Russia.

However, Kremlin spokesman Peskov raised the possibility of such weapons being provided in the future on Thursday, saying it would “bring the conflict to a whole new level.”

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