In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have reportedly succeeded in destroying a Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system using U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
According to multiple sources, the Ukrainian military targeted the Russian S-400 system near the Mospyne airfield in the Donetsk region on May 22, 2024. The attack reportedly involved the deployment of five ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. The source said that the attack on the deployed system was carried out using 5 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. The attack caused the destruction of two S-300/400 launchers and damage to another launcher, as well as the 96L6E radar and S-300/ 400 system command post.
The S-400 Triumf, known by its NATO designation SA-21 Growler, is a sophisticated long-range air defense system developed by Russia to counter a wide array of aerial threats. It includes various radar systems, missile launchers, and command-and-control elements that work together to create a layered defense network. However, this strike has exposed critical weaknesses in the system. “We clearly know that Ukrainian missiles are getting through and at rates that really pose a problem for the Russians,” noted Fredrik Mertens, an analyst at the Hague Center for Strategic Studies.
The 96L6E radar, part of the S-400’s detection suite, plays a vital role in the system’s ability to detect and track aerial targets. Its destruction marks a notable milestone in the conflict, considering it is the first time this component has been neutralized. “If the radar and command post are destroyed, the actual neutralization of the entire anti-aircraft battery is impossible because the operation is impossible without them,” reported the source.
Videos and pictures circulating online show the fiery aftermath of the missile strikes, with charred remains of the S-400 system visible. One notable video was posted by the “Jay in Kyiv” account on X (formerly Twitter), which highlighted the impact of the ATACMS strike on the S-400 system.
The U.S.-supplied ATACMS has proven to be a pivotal asset for Ukrainian forces. The missile system, known for its long-range precision strike capabilities, can engage targets at distances up to 300 kilometers (approximately 186 miles) and is launched from platforms such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The high speed and advanced guidance systems of the ATACMS have made it a formidable challenge for Russian air defenses. “Unlike more conventional cruise missiles, the ATACMS can accelerate to three times the speed of sound (approximately 2,300 mph), making them more difficult for air defense systems to intercept,” explained Justin Crump, chief executive of the strategic intelligence company Sibylline.
The strike on the S-400 system is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian attacks on Russian air defense installations. Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces also successfully targeted another S-400 system covering the Belbek air base in Crimea, using ATACMS missiles to destroy a truck and a multifunctional radar. “Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to destroy S-400 systems farther away from the front lines,” said Ian Williams, a missile defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Relevant articles:
– Ukrainian Forces Destroy Russian S-400 Air Defense System & 96L6E Adva , Army Recognition, 05/24/2024
– Videos Show Fiery Detonation, Charred Remains of Russia’s $800M Air Defense, Newsweek, 05/24/2024
– Ukrainian troops hit the Russian S-400 system, Militarnyi, 05/23/2024
– Russia’s fearsome S-400 air-defense system isn’t quite living up to the hype in Ukraine, Business Insider, 05/21/2024
– NATO should use its air defenses to shoot down Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, says former alliance chief, Yahoo News UK, 05/21/2024
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