The commander of the Strela SAM system told about the work of Russian anti-aircraft gunners

The crews of Strela surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) in the Vostok grouping of troops monitor the sky day and night, and as soon as an airborne object enters their area of responsibility that does not respond to a "friend or foe" request, the soldiers escort it and, after a command, hit the target. Izvestia correspondent talked to the commander of one of the units.

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According to him, the complex is capable of hitting enemy airplanes, helicopters and drones. The anti-aircraft gunners can fire both from the spot and on the move.

"As weather conditions change, nothing changes conceptually for us. We don't care if it's cloudy or clear. We work always. Of course, when the sky is overcast, our potential targets fly less. But we're still on duty. "Valkyrie", Shark, "Baba Yaga" - on them we work most often," - said the commander.

He added that the crew has Igla-10 portable SAMs. With them the work is carried out on visual targets.

"Igla" mobile, portable. It strikes not only light-engine, but also electric targets. In general, it shoots down all types of aircraft. With it is easy to move, easier to hide. You can easily work on FPV-drones", - said the serviceman.

Read more in the exclusive material "Izvestia" on January 10 at 10:00:

Arrival of the Valkyries: how the Strela-10 SAM system destroys Ukrainian drones