Russia Buys Back Its Own Air Defense Systems From Partners

• 9.04.2026, 15:58

The shortage of equipment forces the Russian Federation to look for complexes abroad.

Due to problems with air defense, Russia turns to its partners, to whom it previously sold, in particular, anti-aircraft missile systems, in order to buy them back. This was said on the air of "Kyiv 24" by the columnist of the "Militarny" portal Vadim Kushnikov, answering a question about gaps in the Russian air defense.

"There are all signs that for some nomenclatures of anti-aircraft missile weapons, the enemy is now very much in need in other directions. For example, it is turning to its partners to whom it previously sold this or that equipment, including surface-to-air missile systems, in order to buy them back," he noted.

Talking about the S-300 and S-400 complexes, Kushnikov noted that the enemy is forced to move its assets from other territories and directions, leaving the Far East and the Far North without cover, for example.

The expert also noted that the enemy has begun to experience a shortage of anti-aircraft guided missiles of the 57E6 and 9M333 types, which are actively used both on the battle line and to cover regions in Russia's rear.