Watch: Russian soldier takes down Ukrainian drone with portable air defence system near Moscow

A video of a Russian soldier firing a man-portable air defence system at a Ukrainian drone flying at low altitude over a major highway in the Moscow region, with footage of the reported engagement has emerged amid intensified drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine.The footage, shared on X by social media news aggregator Visegrád 24, allegedly shows a Russian soldier operating a 9K38 Igla man-portable air-defence system. The Soviet-era Igla, also known as a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS), is designed to engage low-flying aircraft and drones. It uses an infrared seeker to detect heat signatures, particularly from aircraft engines, and guide the missile towards its target.According to specifications cited by the CIA, the Igla entered service in 1983 and uses a solid-fuel rocket motor. It weighs about 10.8kg and has an operational range of around 5.2km, with a flight ceiling of approximately 3.5km. Its peak speed is about 800 metres per second.The reported engagement comes as Ukraine has stepped up its use of long-range drones against targets inside Russia, including areas far from the front line. Moscow and surrounding regions have repeatedly reported drone attacks, with Russian authorities saying air-defence units have intercepted large numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles.On Sunday, Russia’s defence ministry claimed that its forces carried out strikes against Ukrainian military-linked targets, including areas around Kyiv’s Northern Bridge and cargo vessels in the Odesa region.Recently, in overnight assault, Russian authorities reported that more than 1,900 Ukrainian drones, along with eight guided bombs, eight cruise missiles and four rockets, had been shot down. Earlier, Russian officials reported casualties and damage from another drone attack, including three deaths and damage to an oil refinery. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said one attack “was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections”.Additionally, Ukraine said on Sunday that its long-range strikes had put 51 per cent of Russia’s oil-refining capacity out of action, potentially affecting Moscow’s ability to supply its forces. Ukraine’s defence ministry said recent strikes targeted refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran.Both sides have intensified aerial attacks as fighting along the 1,200-kilometre front line has largely stalled. Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries earlier this year also contributed to fuel shortages and restrictions on petrol sales.