Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems turned out to be ineffective in the fight against attacks by Ukrainian forces on the annexed Crimea – writes the Ukrainian military portal Defense Express. The peninsula is to be protected by Prometheus.
The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, announced that Russian forces have deployed the most modern S-500 Prometheus air defense system in the annexed Crimea. As he said, “it will be rather an experimental use” of this equipment.
Budanov spoke about the Russians' decision on Wednesday. On the same day, the General Staff in Kiev reported that Ukrainian forces carried out a massive missile attack on one Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile squadron near Belbekas well as two S-400 anti-aircraft missile squadrons near Belbek and Sevastopol.
Russian S-500 Prometheus system. Illustrative photo mil.ru
“Overrated” system
According to Budanov, the Russians deploying a more modern air defense system in the annexed Crimea “is quite an obvious step.” Defense Express experts wonder whether such a step “will be more effective.” And they remind us that Prometheus may be an “overrated” weapon, and the missiles of this system can fly 500-600 kilometers – as the Russian army claims – only “on paper”.
According to the Russians, the S-500 is to be used to detect and destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.
According to Steve Brown, an analyst for the English-language Kyiv Post portal, “like many wonder weapons and advanced systems that Russia used in desperation during the war in Ukraine, the S-500 system has yet to prove its effectiveness on the battlefield, which it probably will not.” .
Defense Express, Kyiv Post
Main photo source: Shutterstock