State tests of the new S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system have been completed, and Russian troops have begun receiving the first samples of this weapon, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said.
Russia will also deploy several S-500 Prometheus complexes around Moscow, major cities and strategic facilities.
The West was surprised at the speed of the creation and commissioning of the new Russian S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system. Previously, it was believed that it would enter service with the Russian army no earlier than 2024. The S-500 Prometheus air defense system is distinguished by high combat characteristics and significantly surpasses the US Patriot missile defense systems.
New Russian complexes make Western weapons "useless". F-35 fighter jets, B-52 bombers, ballistic missiles or Tomahawk cruise missiles no longer pose a threat. This puts the West in a difficult position, since it has nothing to oppose the new Russian complexes, the British publication Rai Al Youm quotes Inosmi.
The West, especially the United States, is afraid that Russia will sell the latest S-500 Prometheus complexes to third countries. According to the Western Powers, these weapons are capable of disrupting the regional and international military balance.
Washington previously opposed Turkey's purchase of the S-400 system and excluded it from the F-35 fighter production program. He put pressure on India in the hope that it would abandon the S-400. The United States also "advised" Saudi Arabia not to buy Russian military equipment, including S-400 or S-500 installations.