Ukrainian forces outsmart Russian air defenses with innovative missile strategy

From February 17, 2024, Ukrainians have brought down at least 13 Russian aircraft in just under two weeks. The Telegraph reports that one "cunning technique" might have played a role in these successful engagements, contributing to the downing of the A-50 reconnaissance aircraft among others.

The Telegraph notes that over two years of conflict, the Russians have lost an average of four aircraft per month. However, last month, this figure is believed to have tripled at least. This surge in losses is attributed not just to the increased operations by the Russian Air Force but also to the enhanced capabilities of Ukrainian air defence systems.

"The Ukrainians discovered a clever method for deploying their most potent missile," – we learn. Ukrainian forces adapted parts of the American Patriot missile systems in a way that enabled them to shoot down, among others, an early warning aircraft A-50, which in theory, should have been out of reach for Ukrainian systems due to the limited range of their existing arsenal.

It is important to remember that the A-50, as highlighted by The Telegraph, went down in the Sea of Azov region on February 23. The crash site was approximately 250 miles from the front line, indicating that the missiles from the Ukrainian-held Patriot systems should not have been able to hit the aircraft. However, there is a weapon with the necessary range, but "original Soviet radars emit so much energy they typically expose an impending missile launch, giving pilots time to evade," – we find out.

This weapon is the S-200, which was officially retired in 2013. Nevertheless, some units were reintroduced to service after a decade, meaning that since 2023, it's probable that Ukrainians have been employing them for ground-to-air defense. So how did the forces overcome the problem of insufficient radar capability? The solution was provided with the military aid package announced by Joe Biden in 2023, which included a fascinating component, described as "equipment for integrating Western launchers, missiles, and air defense radars with Ukrainian air defense systems."

The Telegraph suggests that this likely refers to the IBSC, or Integrated Battle Command System, developed by Northrop Grumman. "It consists of a network of processors, radio connections, and algorithms that enable the coordination of almost any air defense radar and missile" – we're told. Consequently, the Ukrainian air force could link a variety of sensors (including those from the Patriot) with the S-200. This innovation, pivotal in the takedown of the A-50, represents a hybrid capability that even the USA does not possess.

Let's note that the S-200 system is a long-range air defence mechanism targeting objects up to about 300 miles away and flying at an altitude of up to 25 miles. It employs a fragmentation warhead and has seen various modifications over the years, including advances in jamming resistance and the option for launch without the necessity for tracking.