YEKATERINBURG, January 12. /TASS/. Air defense missile and artillery systems Pantsir-S1 have entered duty in western Siberia, the press-service of the Central Military District has told TASS.

"In a special ceremony the newest missile and artillery systems Pantsir-S1 were handed over to the personnel of an air defense unit of the Central Military District in Novosibirsk. They are responsible for protecting crucial military and industrial facilities and enhancing the air defense of western Siberia," the press-service said.

In the middle of December air defense personnel carried out a test firing program at the Ashuluk proving ground in the Astrakhan Region.

"The crews had undergone a course of training at a center in the Leningrad Region in advance," the Central Military District said.

Pantsir-S1 is a self-propelled air defense system. It was designed to provide protection from small military, administrative and industrial facilities from all means of air attack in an adverse radio-electronic situation and in any weather. Its missiles and artillery shells can hit all types of manned aircraft and drones.