On January 5, 2025, Splinter Observer reported that the first regiment of Russia’s S-500 Prometheus air defense missile system will be tasked with defending the Crimean bridge. This development follows an earlier report from Ukrainian intelligence services in mid-2024 suggesting that elements of the S-500 were already experimentally deployed in Crimea. General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, announced the creation of the first S-500 regiment on December 18, 2024, marking the formal integration of this advanced system into operational tasks.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The S-500 Prometheus is expected to complement the existing S-400 and S-300 air defense systems and serve as a central component of the Russian defense network, while expanding operational capabilities to counter future threats. are. (Photo source: Russian social media)
The S-500 Prometheus air defense missile system, developed by Almaz Antei, is designed to counter a wide range of air threats, including stealth aircraft such as the F-35, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic missiles, and low ballistic missiles. It is designed to. -Orbital satellite. It is offered in two configurations. One for long-range air defense and the other for missile defense. The system has a maximum operational range of 600 kilometers and an altitude of 200 kilometers, exceeding the previous generation S-300 and S-400, which were limited to altitudes below 400 kilometers. During testing in 2019, the S-500 demonstrated a range of 481.2 kilometers, according to the U.S. Space Information Agency. This exceeds the capabilities of U.S. systems such as Patriot and THAAD, which have a limited range of about 200 kilometers.
Each S-500 regiment consists of 12 launchers and can detect and engage up to 10 ballistic missile warheads moving at speeds up to 7 kilometers per second. The system’s response time is 3-4 seconds, an improvement over the 9-10 seconds required by the S-400. The S-500 uses the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 missiles, which are specifically designed for high-speed dynamic interception. Tests conducted in February 2024 confirmed the system’s ability to intercept the R-29RMU2 Sineva missile and demonstrated its ability to engage hypersonic targets.
The deployment of the S-500 to protect the Crimean bridges addresses the vulnerability of Russia’s air defenses in the region. Ukraine’s continued attacks using advanced missiles supplied by Western countries, such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow, are targeting Crimea’s main air defense systems and command centers. These attacks caused damage to facilities such as the Sakhi airfield in Jankoi and air defense infrastructure. The Crimean Bridge, a key military transport link between mainland Russia and Crimea, has also come under attack in the past, and efforts are being stepped up to better protect it.
Crimea is of strategic importance to Russia, as it is located on the Black Sea and hosts the deep-water port of Sevastopol, which supports Russian naval operations and provides access to the Mediterranean Sea. After its 2014 annexation, Crimea also became a key element of Russia’s efforts to maintain influence over Ukraine. The Crimean Bridge serves as an important logistics route, allowing the transportation of military and civilian supplies between Russia and Crimea. Ukraine seeks to destroy the bridges to cut off these supply lines, disrupt Russian military operations, and challenge Russia’s ability to maintain control of the region.
Since the Russian invasion began in 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Crimean bridges using a variety of means, including unmanned surface vessels, missiles, and explosives, with the aim of disrupting Russian supply lines and military operations in Crimea. I’ve done it. (Image source: Security Service of Ukraine)
The S-500 is also equipped to counter low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are critical for enemy communications, navigation, and reconnaissance operations. This capability, combined with long range, allows it to target threats beyond traditional airspace. Analysts say the deployment of the S-500 to Crimea could challenge NATO’s ability to operate near the region, especially given the system’s ability to intercept advanced air and missile threats. suggests.
Internationally, Russia has offered India joint production of the S-500. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in 2024, Russia updated this proposal as part of broader defense cooperation efforts. India has not yet made a decision and is likely weighing the system’s capabilities against potential sanctions and geopolitical implications. The S-500’s potential importance in the missile defense race is highlighted by comparison with the previous Russia-India collaboration, the BrahMos missile program.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the S-500 faces operational challenges. Ukraine’s military has outlined strategies to counter it, including coordinated missile strikes, electronic warfare and the use of unmanned aerial systems. The Ukrainian-designed Trembita cruise missile could be used in saturation attacks to overwhelm S-500 interceptors. Combining such missile strikes with electronic disruption and drone operations could reduce the effectiveness of the system.
The S-500 Prometheus was first developed in the late 2000s, with the first prototype completed in 2012. The testing phase continued into the 2020s, with the first prototype model delivered in 2016. The system includes advanced radar components such as the 91N6A. (M) Battle Management Radar and 77T6 ABM Engagement Radar. Supports simultaneous detection and engagement of multiple targets. The S-500, mounted on the BAZ-6909 family of vehicles, is designed for mobility and deployment in a variety of terrains.
According to the report, this deployment marks the beginning of the S-500’s integration into Russia’s broader military strategy. The system’s ability to counter advanced threats such as hypersonic weapons and stealth aircraft adds a new layer to Russia’s air and missile defense capabilities. While the initial focus will be on securing key infrastructure such as the Crimean Bridge, a broader deployment could impact regional and global military dynamics. The system is expected to serve as a core component of Russia’s defense network, complementing existing S-400 and S-300 systems while expanding operational capabilities to counter future threats.
