Ukrainian forces target vital Russian air defences near Rostov-on-Don

Ukrainians have been methodically trying to destroy Russian medium-range anti-aircraft systems from the S-300 or S-400 Triumf family for several months. Recently, a Ukrainian attack hit an S-300 battery deployed near the town of Novoshakhtinsk, close to Rostov-on-Don in Russia. We explain why these systems are so important and highlight their performance.

Ukrainians can effectively eliminate Russian anti-aircraft system batteries using MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles in the M39 or M39A1 versions, which are equipped with cluster warheads.

This is ideal for area attacks, and Russian systems have a significant problem countering American ballistic missiles developed back in the 1990s. Theoretically, Ukrainians could also use Storm Shadow / SCALP cruise missiles, which fly at very low altitudes.

Using other types of weapons, such as GMLRS rockets or drones, seems unlikely because the target was about 110 miles from the front line. Adding a buffer of around 12 to 18 miles required a system with a range of at least 125 miles. On the other hand, drones are easy targets to shoot down, and systems like Tor or Pantsir-S1 usually accompany S-300 batteries. Unfortunately, the means used by Ukrainians are unknown, but a large fire broke out at the site of the strike, and there were secondary explosions, such as missile explosions in the launchers.

The S-300 system, developed in the Soviet Union in the 1970s, is the Russians' main medium-range shield. Depending on the missile version used, it can combat aircraft at a distance of up to 93 miles and an altitude of 15.5 miles or ballistic missiles, although in their case, the interception range drops to a maximum of 25 miles from the launcher.

The disadvantage of this system is that, in most versions, the target must be illuminated with a fire control radar beam until the launched missile hits, making it very difficult to defend against an attack from several directions simultaneously.

The only exceptions are the newest 9M96E1 and 9M96E2 missiles or missiles designed for S-400 Triumf, which have their own active radar homing head, allowing them to independently guide themselves to the target in the final phase of interception without radar assistance.

The S-400 Triumf system, on the other hand, is a straightforward evolution of the S-300 system. In theory, it can combat targets at a distance of up to 248 miles using 40N6 missiles. However, due to backward compatibility, its performance may be lower if loaded with older missiles.

These are the only Russian systems, apart from the experimental S-500 Prometey, capable of combating ballistic missiles or aircraft carrying JDAM-ER or similar glide bombs, which, after being dropped from high altitudes, can fly up to 43 miles. They are indispensable for destroying even very solid field fortifications or buildings.