Introducing a New Russian System to Protect Critical Facilities from Drone Attacks

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Russia has found a way to protect ports, refineries, industrial facilities, and other critical infrastructure from Ukrainian drone attacks, even without the presence of military personnel. The new Citadel defense system is capable of automatically detecting and destroying drones, and a private security employee is enough to maintain and repair it, and there is no need for the presence of military personnel. The system has successfully passed its tests on the Ukrainian front.

Developed by Rostec, the system is a 30-mm automated anti-aircraft artillery. The system operates by firing programmable shells whose explosions are calculated in advance. In other words, a direct hit is not required to hit the target, and the drone is destroyed when it enters the cloud of shrapnel.

This system is able to independently track the target, calculate the trajectory, and plan the firing of the bullet. In this system, the operator only decides to fire; the system is also able to operate in any weather conditions and at any time of the day or night.

Citadel is equipped with a circular scanning radar and a powerful opto-electronic system, including night vision and thermal. This feature allows the system to track even small plastic and composite drones that are invisible to radar through the heat of the engine and battery. Also, in the event of radar jamming or deception, the optical system continues to work. On the other hand, the ability to quickly target and fire in succession makes this system ideal for repelling group attacks and swarms of drones.

In March 2026, the Russian State Duma allowed private security companies to use autonomous combat weapons to protect critical infrastructure. However, simply giving a security guard a 3V-23-2 anti-aircraft gun is not enough, as it requires high-level professional training to avoid mistakes near industrial facilities or residential areas.

This is where Citadel shows its advantage; using an automated mode, the system minimizes the human factor and reduces the risk of error. Servicing and replacing ammunition for the system can be carried out by a few civilian specialists who have the necessary permits and qualifications.

The Citadel system is designed specifically for point and object-based protection of civilian infrastructure. However, in the future, its combat module will probably also be mounted on a mobile chassis to act as a tactical air defense system to protect ground forces on the battlefield.

In the future, the Citadel on a self-propelled chassis can be used to protect air defense missile systems, artillery, rocket launchers, and military convoys from drone attacks.

Russian officials hope that using this new system, they will find a solution to counter Ukraine's long-range drone attacks and neutralize one of Ukraine's main strengths in the war.