Air defense gunner on post: MANPADS in Ukraine's layered air defense system

A camouflaged soldier shoulders a man-portable surface-to-air missile system, ready for launch, against an open field with a tree line on the horizon. Portable air defense systems form a key layer of the multi-tiered air defense that shot down 63 drones by dawn during the night wave of 80. A pistol is holstered at his waist and a tactical vest is worn over his uniform.