Ukrainian intelligence gains edge with S‑300 data from Crimea
Partisans from the Atesh resistance movement are closely monitoring the movements of Russian troops in Crimea. This time, their observations gave Ukrainians valuable information regarding the anti-aircraft defence at the Russian military base on Cape Fiolent near Sevastopol. According to the partisans, the base is protected by S-300 systems. What is known about them?
"Our agent examined the base at Fiolent. The 25th missile unit, S-300 air defence, and the 26th radar battalion are there. These units secure the coast and airspace. We are tracking weaknesses and sending data to the Ukrainian army for further action," representatives of the Atesh group wrote on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
S-300 systems in Crimea
The Russian S-300 system is an advanced anti-aircraft and anti-missile complex developed during Soviet times. The first generation of this solution — S-300PT (known as SA-10 Grumble in NATO nomenclature) was adopted in 1978 and implemented in 1979. The main task of the S-300 is to defend important military and infrastructural sites from aerial attacks.
The S-300 system has a wide range of radars and launchers capable of detecting and destroying aircraft and ballistic missiles at significant distances. Importantly, this system is part of the Russian air defence strategy, where it serves as a medium—to long-range complex.
One of the most important features of the S-300 system is its ability to operate at distances between 150 and 200 kilometres, depending on the version, and its capacity to attack targets at altitudes up to 27 kilometres. Each S-300 missile weighs about 1,800 kilograms, with 180 kilograms attributed to the warhead. In basic variants, these are mainly 9M82, 9M83, and 9M83ME missiles. The system allows targeting 12 missiles at a maximum of 6 different targets.
