Russia deployed a mobile air defence missile system to Ukraine. The step came with some question marks. According to Russian sources, the occupier force has deployed the S-300V4 (NATO Reporting Name: SA-12 Gladiator) mobile air defence system. Gladiators were developed to provide a protective umbrella for moving mechanised units. The “V4” represents the latest upgraded variant.
S-300V4 mobile missile systems are based on tracked armoured vehicles. This brings better mobility than other air defence missile launchers. Because of their mobility, deployment brought the “Russian preparation for armoured assault” question mark into mind. Another possibility is equipment problems. It is known that the Russian military is experiencing issues in finding combat-ready systems for the frontline due to poor maintenance. And it is also known that many military systems are looted and sold on the internet by Russian soldiers. Russia also sent S-300V units to Syria.
