Russia Plans Air Defense Reforms to Strengthen Defenses Near Finland

Andrey Demin, a general in the Russian Air Force, indicated today that Moscow intends to reform its air defense forces after gaining new experience in the war in Ukraine, and will enhance its air defenses in response to Finland's accession to NATO. In an interview published with the Red Star newspaper, Demin stated that air defense forces faced several challenges in the face of Ukrainian strikes. He added that air defense units were created in Ukrainian areas under Russian control to protect key facilities, while Russia has intensified the production of the "R.L.Kh.M.C" drone defense system. Demin noted that Russia will also bolster its defenses following Finland's accession, which shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 of last year in what it calls a "special military operation," the fighting has turned into a brutal artillery war with intensive use of drones and missiles, putting the air defenses of both Russia and Ukraine to the test.