Russia has added an extra layer to its air defense system designed to protect targets at extremely low altitudes, according to Colonel General Andrey Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces.

Mordvichev said the new configuration is intended to strengthen the protection of Ground Forces units and rear-area facilities against drone attacks deep within Russian operational formations. According to him, the changes have made it possible to establish an additional air defense layer specifically focused on threats flying at extremely low altitudes.

Efforts to reinforce anti-drone defenses have also been discussed at the highest levels of the Russian government in recent months.

In early September, Russian President Vladimir Putin said strengthening air defense remained the main way to prevent strikes on civilian infrastructure. He also noted that private companies had begun investing their own funds in measures aimed at protecting industrial facilities.

Russian officials and business representatives had previously called for expanding the range of systems used to counter UAVs and for improving security at industrial sites.

In late May 2026, Alexander Shokhin, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, proposed using not only small arms to defend enterprises but also electronic warfare systems and laser installations.

A month later, a bill was submitted to the Russian State Duma that would allow night-vision sights to be installed on civilian and service weapons when they are used to protect facilities from hostile UAVs.