Russia relocates S‑300 systems from Sevastopol amid recent losses

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are relocating S-300 air defense systems from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea. A convoy of four launchers and two 5N63S command posts with 30N6 radars was spotted on the city exit road.

According to the Militarny portal, the S-300 systems spotted leaving Sevastopol are most likely heading west or northwest. The equipment may be moved from Sevastopol to Yevpatoria or Chornomorsk, where Ukrainians previously succeeded in destroying similar Russian weapons.

Thus, the Russians might be trying to compensate for the losses sustained in recent days near Sevastopol. There are also suggestions that the relocation could be an attempt to evade Ukrainian ATACMS missiles, which regularly destroy S-300/400 complexes. However, this escape theory is less likely because if the convoy moves to the northwestern part of Crimea, it will be easier for Ukrainians to target them.

It should be noted that the Russian Federation currently possesses about 100 divisions equipped with S-300 and S-400 systems, military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko previously calculated. However, according to the expert, this is far less than what Russia requires for effective defense.

Moreover, rebuilding each destroyed S-300/400 anti-aircraft complex is very costly and time-consuming. The Russians lack the capabilities to regularly replenish each lost machine, so their stockpile of such weapons is constantly shrinking. The intensification of Ukrainian attacks on S-300/400 systems could be a precursor to the appearance of F-16s in Ukraine, as these air defense systems are among those that can realistically threaten American fighters.

The S-300 is a weapon that allows Russians to eliminate virtually any aerial threat. It can target airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The most advanced missiles operated by this complex measure about 25 feet long and 1.6 feet in diameter. After being launched, they accelerate to a maximum speed of about 4,350 mph, and the maximum altitude at which they can intercept enemy targets is roughly 17 miles.

Development of the S-300 began at the end of the 1960s, leading to its acceptance into service in the 1970s. In the following decade, further development of the S-300 was decided, resulting in the S-400 Triumf.