UK intelligence says Ukraine may be using SA-5 Gammon as ground-launched ballistic missile

This was reported by British intelligence, citing the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter.

According to intelligence, Russia is intensifying its pressure on the leadership of the Aerospace Forces, particularly on Chief of Staff Colonel General Viktor Afzalov. This escalation is attributed to the worsening air defense conditions in western Russia, where frequent drone attacks are occurring.

"Strikes deep inside Russia are strategically important because President Putin almost certainly invaded Ukraine on the assumption that it would have little direct effect on Russians," the statement said.

Drones have been consistently infiltrating Moscow's airspace, which has drawn attention in Britain. Reports of incidents involving S-200 missiles, known as SA-5 Gammon in NATO terminology, have also become more frequent.

"This Soviet-era 7.5 tonne, 11-meter long weapon is retired from its air defense role in Ukraine’s inventory. However, it is now apparently being employed as a ground attack ballistic missile," British intelligence suggests.

A drone allegedly shot down near Moscow: details

According to RIA Novosti, at about 3 am, departing and arriving flights were delayed at Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. Some flights were diverted to Sheremetyevo.

This occurrence likely relates to another alleged drone flight attempt over Moscow from the southern direction, as announced by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin at 04:34 am. He indicated that this alleged attempt was reportedly stopped by the air defense units.

Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense also reported on the drone attack. It noted that on August 20, at about 4 am Moscow time, an attempt by the "Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV" on targets in Moscow and the Moscow region was allegedly stopped.

They emphasize that air defense detected a drone flying over the territory of the Stupinsky district of the Moscow region in the direction of Moscow.

"The UAV was downed by electronic warfare and, having lost control, crashed in a deserted area. There were no casualties or damage," the Russian Defense Ministry wrote.

Russia’s third region under attack by UAVs in the morning is Rostov

Thus, the governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, said that three drones were neutralized through electronic warfare, suggesting that air defense measures were unnecessary.

"Early this morning there was an attempted terrorist attack in our region using “kamikaze” drones. The UAV was successfully countered by electronic warfare. Air defense was not used due to the small size of the target. Two drones fell on the territory of a military unit in Kamensk, and another one - one kilometer north of Novoshakhtynsk," the governor wrote.

According to him, there were no casualties or damage as a result of the drones' crash.

Also, on August 19, an unidentified drone allegedly hit the Soltsy military airfield in Russia's Novgorod region. The Russian Defense Ministry then traditionally accused Ukraine of the attack.