Russia moves s‑300 systems from Crimea as Ukrainian pressure mounts

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

According to the military portal, the S-300 systems spotted beyond 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.

As reported, the Russians might be trying to compensate for the losses sustained in recent days near Sevastopol. There are also suggestions that the relocation of equipment is an attempt to escape from Ukrainian ATACMS missiles that regularly destroy S-300/400 complexes. This escape theory is slightly less probable than the need to rebuild losses, mainly because if the convoy heads to the northwestern part of Crimea, Ukrainians will have easier access to target them from their territory.

Military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko previously calculated that the Russian Federation currently has about 100 divisions equipped with S-300 and S-400 systems. However, according to the expert, this is significantly less than what Russia needs for effective defence.

Moreover, rebuilding each destroyed S-300/400 anti-aircraft complex is costly and time-consuming, and the Russians do not have the necessary capabilities to replenish each lost system regularly. As a result, the stockpile of this type of weapon is constantly shrinking – and the intensification of Ukrainian attacks on S-300/400 could be a precursor to the appearance of F-16s in Ukraine. These air defence systems are among those that can realistically threaten American fighters.

The S-300 is a weapon that allows Russians to combat virtually any aerial threat. It can easily handle aeroplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The most advanced missiles operated by this system measure about 8 meters long and are 0.5 meters in diameter. After being launched from the launcher, they accelerate to a maximum speed of about 7,000 km/h, and the maximum altitude at which they can intercept enemy aircraft is roughly 27 kilometres.

Work on developing the S-300 began in the late 1960s and resulted in their acceptance into service in the 1970s. In the following decade, it was decided to develop the S-300 further, creating the new S-400 Triumf.