Sakhalin has completed the formation of a new air defense system. It was based on the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as the Pantsir-S missile and cannon systems. The group covers not only the island itself, but also the cities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Khabarovsk. In fact, the entire territory in the east of the country has turned into a missile bastion.
Sakhalin has completed the formation of a new air defense system. It was based on the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as the Pantsir-S missile and cannon systems. The group covers not only the island itself, but also the cities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Khabarovsk. In fact, the entire territory in the east of the country has turned into a missile bastion.
Time of " Triumph»
As sources in the Defense Ministry told Izvestia, the Sakhalin air defense system has now been tested and recognized as combat-ready. Work on its formation was completed in early March. Rearmament with the S-400 was completed only this year. Then the units went on duty and conducted joint exercises.
The 1724th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment was relocated to Sakhalin from the Jewish Autonomous Region. At the end of February, this was reported by the Ministry of Defense.
At the ceremony of putting the unit on combat duty, the commander of the 11th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense, Lieutenant General Vladimir Kravchenko, said that from now on, all three regiments of the 25th Air Defense Division have completely switched to the latest S-400 "Triumph"systems. In addition to the island, they cover the cities of Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
The regiment demonstrated its readiness to defend Sakhalin immediately after the ceremony. In training, he practiced repelling an air attack. The military deployed the launchers to the combat position, conducted a search, detection and classification of the conditional air target.
At the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Defense also announced the dispatch of anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPC) "Pantsir-S" to the South Sakhalin region, without specifying in which part of the air defense they will be included. But all the regiments that are being re-equipped with the S-400 now receive ZRPK batteries for self-defense against air and ground threats.
A few years ago, plans were made public for the construction of positions on the island for combat duty of two divisions of S-300V or S-400 complexes. One of them was planned to be located near the city of Pind, the second-near the settlement of Khomutovo. It also provided for the construction of a barracks for personnel and the arrangement of a helipad capable of receiving Mi-8 transport vehicles.
Circular defense
— The S-400 anti-aircraft missile regiment is a powerful barrage formation. But we must not forget that it does not work by itself, but in a single air defense system — " Aytech Bizhev, former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force for the joint air defense system of the CIS countries, told Izvestia. — In general, the airspace is covered not only by anti-aircraft missile fire, but also by means of electronic suppression and fighter aircraft. The new military unit increases such capabilities. And the "Shells" are needed to cover the S-400 themselves. The most vulnerable sections of the state border are being strengthened. At the same time, the complexes protect not only the island. Their range allows them to destroy the means of air attack and beyond, in particular in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Kuril Islands. Within a radius of several hundred kilometers from the location of the S-400, everything will go wrong. And outside of it, fighter aviation regiments will work.
Among the tasks that the Sakhalin S-400 can solve is the protection of the airspace over the Sea of Okhotsk.
"In the event of a military conflict, strategic missile submarines may move from their bases in Kamchatka to the Sea of Okhotsk, where they will be difficult to find," said military expert Dmitry Boltenkov. — The air defense systems located on Sakhalin will be able to protect this zone from the flights of reconnaissance and attack aircraft. In this region, in a military situation, a restricted access zone will most likely be created, completely covered by missile and anti-aircraft systems. In general, we see the strengthening of the unified air defense system in the Far East.
In Birobidzhan, from where the 1724th anti-aircraft Missile Regiment was relocated to Sakhalin, a new air defense brigade of the Eastern Military District was formed last year. As reported by Izvestia, it is equipped with the latest S-300V4 systems, capable of shooting down not only aircraft, but also short-range ballistic missiles. During the exercise, the brigade worked out the transfer to the Kuril Islands. And on December 1, 2020, the military department announced that these systems were put on permanent combat duty there.
The S-400 Triumph is the world's most advanced air defense system, capable of shooting down aircraft and missiles within a radius of 400 km. In the regiments that are equipped with them, they also serve the short-range ZRPK "Pantsir". Their task is to intercept helicopters and small drones. "Shells" protect long-range systems on the march and in positions, increase their fire performance and allow you not to waste heavy missiles on low-priority targets.
Recently, the military has been actively strengthening the defense of the Pacific region and, in particular, Sakhalin. Last year, a new coastal defense brigade was formed on the island. It includes divisions of supersonic cruise missiles "Bastion" and low-altitude "Bal". Taking into account the existing missile and artillery troops, the Pacific coast of Russia was completely protected from the landing of troops and the approach of ships with cruise missiles.
Combined arms units are also being re-equipped. For example, the 39th separate motorized rifle brigade received upgraded T-80BVM tanks that can operate in any climatic conditions. Their crews receive special training, which includes shooting at surface targets.
