Russia’s new Pautina anti-drone system could strengthen protection for industrial and energy facilities, but it cannot eliminate the threat of enemy UAV attacks on its own, according to military analyst and air defense historian Yuri Knutov. He said the system must operate alongside other air defense assets to be effective.

Rostec previously unveiled the modular metal structure, which is designed to shield fixed facilities such as oil refineries and electrical substations. The system is assembled with bolted connections and does not require welding.

According to its developers, Pautina can withstand a direct impact from a drone weighing up to 200 kilograms and traveling at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

Knutov said the structure could reduce the damage caused by an attack, but would not make the protected site invulnerable. He noted that aircraft-type drones can weigh considerably more than 200 kilograms, placing them beyond the system’s stated protection limits.

At the same time, he argued that such barriers could help protect refineries and limit the consequences of a strike. For stronger coverage, Pautina should be combined with mobile fire teams, electronic warfare equipment and air defense systems such as Pantsir and Tor.

Knutov stressed that drones should be intercepted before they reach their targets. This requires a layered defense network that includes surface-to-air missile systems, artillery units and helicopters.

He identified kamikaze drones assigned to air defense missions as one of the most effective tools for countering hostile UAVs.

The analyst added that metal protective structures are also used outside Russia. Gulf countries, he said, have relied on netting for years to shield critical facilities from drone attacks.