Russia fortifies air defenses to protect vital Crimean Bridge

The Crimean Bridge is one of the key structures for the Russian Federation, connecting the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula with the Taman Peninsula. The bridge's total length exceeds 11 miles, and its damage or destruction would be a significant blow due to its substantial impact on the Russian army's logistics in the area.

Given the use of the Crimean Bridge (direct road and rail connection with annexed Crimea), it is not surprising that the Russian Federation is increasingly striving to ensure its security. At the end of May this year, barriers protecting the bridge appeared.

Now, Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, speaks on protecting the Crimean Bridge. The expert calculates that the Russian Federation "is using all available air defense systems, including S-500, S-400, S-300, and Pantsir-S1 to protect the Kerch bridge." "I'm not sure about the TOR systems, but we can see that they use long-range and short-range ones. These are such systems as S-300, S-400, and even S-500, and, of course, Pantsir," Pletenchuk said.

The S-500, S-400, S-300, and Pantsir-S1 systems form the foundation of Russian air defense. Each has unique technical features that ensure effectiveness in combating various threats.

The S-500 Prometheus can intercept targets at distances of up to 373 miles and altitudes of up to 124 miles. It is designed to combat ballistic and hypersonic missiles and represents an advanced response to modern air threats, including planes, helicopters, and drones.

The S-400, on the other hand, can simultaneously track up to 80 targets and guide up to 160 missiles. It can destroy targets 248 miles away and could hit objects moving at altitudes up to 18.6 miles. The system is capable of combating both aircraft and ballistic missiles.

Despite being based on older technology, the S-300 remains an effective anti-aircraft defense tool. The system can simultaneously track up to 100 targets and destroy targets at distances up to 124 miles at 16.8 miles. The S-300 missiles reach speeds of almost 5,000 mph.

The Pantsir-S1 combines artillery and missile systems. It has 30 mm caliber cannons with a firing rate of up to 2,500 rounds/min, capable of destroying targets at distances up to 2.5 miles. The missile section contains 12 launchers capable of hitting targets at distances up to 12.4 miles and altitudes up to 9.3 miles. The system is equipped with two radars for target detection and guidance.