Satellite images obtained by the Finnish news website Yle indicate that Russia has been moving a large number of anti-aircraft missiles toward Ukraine, including from as far away as St. Petersburg, one of the most crucial areas for Russian air defence.
Satellite images reveal that both mobile firing platforms and missiles disappeared during the summer from a base in the Zelenogorsk (Terijoki) area on the Karelian Isthmus, northwest of St Petersburg, among others.
The transfer of equipment has not previously been publicly reported in Russia or western countries, Yle noted. In addition to the completely emptied bases, anti-aircraft missile equipment has been moved from other bases around St Petersburg during the summer, most likely toward Ukraine.
According to Eklund, the transfer of equipment is unlikely to have significantly weakened St Petersburg's air defences, because the armament that has been removed is its oldest, so Russia may no longer necessarily need it for defensive purposes.
"Based on the pictures, four anti-aircraft bases have been emptied of equipment," military expert Maj. (Ret.) Marko Eklund told Yle.
Eklund, who has monitored the Russian armed forces for more than 20 years, analysed the satellite images at Yle's request.
Yle has acquired most of the satellite images from commercial operators, complementing them with images from the Google Earth Pro app. The latest images are from August and September.
The most obvious change can be seen to the southwest of St Petersburg. There, two entire batteries have been emptied.