The Russian Armed Forces has moved its S-500 air defense system to occupied Crimea, according to Kyiv Independence. The S-500 is the latest addition to the Russian air defense family of systems and features superior capabilities. Ukrainian intelligence noted the strengthening of the Russian air defense system with the appearance of the S-500 in Crimea.
Ukrainian forces launched strikes on Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea, hitting a Russian S-400 system near Dzhankoi, and two S-300 systems near Chornomorske and Yevpatoria. This follows the delivery of ATACMS long-range missiles in October 2023, increasing the intensity of strikes. Ukrainian forces also destroyed the radars of the two systems two days later.
Former Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu announced in April that the S-500 system, named Prometheus, would enter service this year. The system will have two versions: anti-missile and anti-aircraft. The S-500 is designed to intercept a range of threats, including ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles.
Produced by Russian defense company Almaz-Antey Concern, the S-500 system boasts an intercept range of 600 kilometers and an altitude of 200 kilometers. It can engage ten targets simultaneously with a response time of three to four seconds. The system also features a powerful radar capable of detecting targets in “near space” up to 2,000 kilometers away.
