[Myrddin]

Intel analysts on Twitter indicate that 2 TBH2 drones were employed. The radar used to acquire and lock an incoming threat can only handle ONE target. One TBH2 acted as decoy. The other acquired a firing solution that was transmitted back to the shore launch facility where 2 Neptune rockets were directed at the vessel.

[Paladin2]

Did both drones make it back to base?

[TexasGator]

The Neptune uses Inertial guidance to get close then homes in on the active radar.

[logi_cal869]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. /s

[ETCM]

Moskva’s Top Dome fire control radar can target 3 targets and direct 2 missiles at each. Even if the fire control radar is busy, that doesn’t stop the ship from detecting incoming missiles with it’s 3D air search radar. If I’m engaging a couple small drones and I detect incoming missiles, I will break engagement of the drones if necessary to free up my fire control directors. The ship could also have engaged the missiles with its short range SA-N-4 missiles or with their CIWS. I suspect we will never hear the Russian side of what happened, but I’d guess they never saw the missiles coming. Sea skimming missiles are easy to lose in sea clutter, especially when the operator reduces radar sensitivity to cut down on excessive false tracks. Being distracted by drones might have contributed.