Russia shipped a new Pantsir-S1 air defense system to Libya/Sirte.
On August 7, 2020, the images spread on social media showed that the Pantsir-S1 air defense systems used by Russian Wagner mercenaries were dispatched to the Libyan city of Sirte. It is estimated that the vehicles shipped are the systems used in Syria. Pantsir-S1 air defense systems operated by Syria also have a close camouflage coating.
Pantsir-S1 air-defense systems integrated into the 8×8 Kamaz vehicle chassis, also operated by Russia, are actively used by Russian Wagner mercenaries in both Syria and Libya. The images also show the Ural 4320 trucks, which are widely used by the Russian Wagner mercenaries in various regions. There are some statements that the Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, the type used by the Russian Army, were transferred from Syria to Sirte.
فيديو يوضح مرور 25 مدرعة و عدة شاحنات نقل جنود كبيرة الحجم و منظومة دفاع جوي
باتجاه سرت او الجفرة الواضح انها مصرية pic.twitter.com/YZNt2s4Yrd— abd allatheef harb (@Abdoko99) July 11, 2020
Wagner’s Pantsir-S1 was spotted before.
In addition, there are flight records showing that Russia has recently shipped hundreds of cargo aircraft and military supplies to air bases in Libya.
Wagner mercenaries in the region on 23 May 2020 were imaged with Pantsir-S1s integrated into the Kamaz chassis used by the Russian military, as opposed to Pantsir-S1 systems integrated into the German MAN SX 45 8×8 truck chassis granted by the United Arab Emirates to coup-plotter Haftar in Libya.
The Russian Wagner mercenaries draw various symbols on the vehicles they use, marking their vehicles, so to speak. After viewing Wagner’s Pantsir-S1s, which were shared on social media, Wagner had to paint over the symbols on the vehicles.
On 28 July 2020, images spread on social media showed a new convoy of Russian Wagner mercenaries being sent to Sirte, Libya.