Russia unveils first regiment with advanced S‑500 system
Russia announced that it had completed the formation of the first regiment equipped with the advanced S-500 Prometheus air defense system. General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, conveyed this information and emphasized that the new S-500 system is designed with strategic missile defense in mind.
Many reports from Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. These reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
"The formation of the first regiment equipped with the S-500 rocket system, capable of executing missile defense tasks, is nearing completion," stated Gerasimov during a briefing for foreign military attachés on December 18 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. According to the EuroAsian Times, the general also referred to the growing NATO activity near Russia's borders during the meeting. He noted that the number of military exercises by the alliance has increased to 40 annually. He also emphasized that NATO's expansion to include Finland and Sweden and the permanent presence of military contingents in the region cause Russia's concern.
S-500 Prometheus
As previously reported, the world first heard about the S-500 in 2015, when the system was still in the design phase. Even then, Russian media praised its future capabilities. Serial production of the Prometheus began in 2021, and the initial deliveries to the army were planned for 2022. However, there were significant delays. In April 2024, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu assured that the S-500 would be in Russian soldiers' hands by that year's end.
The S-500 Prometheus system is a modern version of anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft systems and is more technologically advanced than its predecessor, the S-400. The new model introduces technologies that enable the interception of advanced missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic ones.
Russian media present the S-500 in a very positive light, reportedly confirmed in tests on February 22, 2024. According to statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense, tests at the Chizha testing range ended successfully—the S-500 system managed to intercept an intercontinental ballistic missile, R-29RMU2 Sineva, which was launched from the nuclear submarine Tula operating in the Laptev Sea.
Russians claim that the Prometheus can destroy targets within a range of up to 370 miles and at an altitude of up to 125 miles, simultaneously attacking ten targets. The Army Recognition website highlighted that the S-500 system's reaction time ranges from three to four seconds, significantly outpacing the S-400, which takes nine to ten seconds. The system can utilize various types of missiles, such as the 40N6M or 77N6-N, depending on the type of threat and operational requirements.
A key component of the S-500 is a complex radar system consisting of four specialized vehicles. Components of this system include radars operating in the S and C bands and radars designated for detecting ballistic missiles. These technologies are intended to detect threats at distances of up to 1,240 miles for ballistic targets and 500 miles for aerial targets.
The Russians believe only the S-500 can counter hypersonic missiles like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal. However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has a different view. Ukrainians claim that they have repeatedly managed to shoot down Kinzhals using Patriot systems, which launched missiles from different directions. This was emphasized by Oleksii Reznikov, who reported the downing of six such missiles in May 2023.
