Russia to Deploy the S-500 Air Defence System in Ukraine

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Russian Army would bring new military assets to Ukraine's battlefield. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Russian Armed Forces would bring new military assets to the battlefield in Ukraine. The weapons system most likely includes S-500, S-400, S-300V4, Buk-M3, Tor-M2U air defence missiles, and a new generation radar station. Shoigu also announced plans for the Russian military industry to increase weapons production in response to what he identified as increasing threats from Western countries. He also noted a significant reduction in the development timeframe for these weapons, stating that what previously took five to eight years to produce is now completed in four to seven months. The S-500, nicknamed Prometheus or also known as 55R6M Triumfator-M, represents a significant advance in the field of air defence systems. Developed by Almaz-Antey, the system is designed to engage and neutralize a wide range of air threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic cruise missiles and low-orbit satellites at altitudes of up to 200 km. Development of the S-500 began in 2009, and the first prototype was completed in 2012. The Russian Armed Forces themselves received the first pre-production weapons in 2016. One such test of the S-500 was conducted on February 22, 2024, demonstrating its ability to effectively intercept hypersonic targets, known for its high speed, manoeuvrability and ability to evade conventional missile defence systems. An important component of the S-500 is its missile technology, which uses the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 missiles, both capable of reaching hypersonic speeds and designed for kinetic impact, providing precision through high-speed. These missiles increase the system's ability to deal with threats at considerable distances, with a reported range of up to 600 km. Additionally, the system's response time of between three to four seconds marks a substantial improvement over its predecessor, the S-400, which had a response time of nine to ten seconds. The S-500 system is mounted on a BAZ-6909 vehicle carrying two 77P6 missile launcher units. Meanwhile, the S-500 radar system includes the 91N6A(M) combat acquisition and management radar, which enables the detection and management of multiple targets and increases the system's situational awareness and operational readiness. Other radars, such as the 96L6-TsP acquisition radar and the ABM 77T6 engagement radar, play an important role in the detection and engagement process, securing the airspace from potential threats. Thanks to this radar, the S-500 can attack up to 10 targets simultaneously, an important attribute to counter techniques frequently used by Ukraine.