Ukraine strikes blow to Russian S‑400 Air Defense with radar hit
The General Staff of Ukraine reported an attack on Russian positions in the Kursk region on the night of November 23, Eastern Time. During the attack, Ukrainians reportedly destroyed a radar station of the S-400 Triumph system, one of the latest Russian anti-aircraft and missile defense systems. The loss of such a radar station is a significant blow to Russian air defense's capabilities.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, the targeted unit conducted combat operations in "ground-to-ground" mode, indicating strikes on stationary ground targets. "Civilian targets and peaceful residents of settlements in the border regions of Ukraine most often fall victim to such bombings by Russian invaders," the Ukrainians emphasized. Although it has not been officially disclosed what type of weapon was used in the attack on the S-400 system's radar, unofficial sources mention ATACMS missiles, as the Bulgarian Military service reported.
Russians lose the S-400 system radar
The loss of the S-400 system radar, which was operating in the Kursk region, is a significant detriment to Russian air defense capabilities. The S-400 Triumph, developed by the Russian Almaz-Antey Design Bureau, is one of the world's most advanced air defense systems. It was developed as an evolution of the earlier S-300 model and is capable of countering not only airplanes and helicopters but also cruise and ballistic missiles.
This system can intercept targets moving at up to 15,748 ft/s, and its operational range varies depending on the missiles used: from 25 miles with 9M96 missiles to over 249 miles with 40N6E missiles. Despite its technological advancements, the S-400 is not without flaws. The war in Ukraine has revealed certain limitations in its performance.
Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed several S-400 batteries using modern Western technologies, such as MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles. Contrary to the expectations of Russian designers, the system does not always effectively counter the latest threats. A particular problem is intercepting targets moving on steep trajectories, posing new challenges for the Russian army in effectively using the S-400.
