Military analyst Vladislav Shurygin believes that Russia’s renewed focus on developing short-range air defense systems marks a crucial and long-overdue step. He noted that private organizations are now being allowed to form their own air defense units, while reservists can be involved in protecting key strategic facilities.

According to Shurygin, much of the country’s most effective modern weaponry and technology — including FPV drones and fiber-optic-guided unmanned systems — did not originate from central military planning but from the initiative of soldiers on the front lines. He emphasized that these innovations played a critical role in repelling the Ukrainian offensive toward the Kursk region. However, he added that large-scale production and deployment of such systems only began recently, and this is an area where Russia must accelerate progress.

Equally important, Shurygin pointed out, is the issue of proper troop training. He said that soldiers are still too often sent to the front without completing full training cycles, which undermines the overall combat effectiveness of their units.

The analyst proposed introducing a formal certification system for military personnel. Each soldier, he suggested, should finish training with a «military diploma» listing all acquired skills and assessments in different areas. This would allow commanders to clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of each serviceman and assign tasks accordingly.