MWM: Russia has deployed long-range air defense systems to protect the Crimean Bridge
Russia has deployed new S-500 air defense systems to protect the Crimean Bridge, writes MWM. They are highly valued for their powerful sensors, long range, and ability to intercept targets at hypersonic speeds. This measure is designed to deter Kiev from further escalation.
The Russian armed forces have deployed their only regiment of S-500 long-range air defense systems to protect the bridge across the Kerch Strait connecting the Crimean peninsula with mainland Russia. Amid the increased attacks deep into Russia, Moscow fears that Ukraine and its Western supporters may try to attack it. Earlier in late December, it was reported that the armed forces had formed their first full long-range S-500 air defense regiment, and this marked an important milestone in plans to further deploy these systems nationwide.
Each regiment of the old S-400 air defense system has 16 surface-to-air missile launchers, along with corresponding mobile radars and command centers, but the number of launchers in the S-500 regiment is not disclosed. The S-500 system entered service in 2021 after more than five years of delay and provides an additional layer of the Russian air defense network: above the S-300V4 and S-400 systems, but below the A-235, which protects Moscow from attacks by intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This world's first mobile surface-to-air system with anti-satellite and anti-missile capabilities is highly appreciated for its powerful sensors providing a detection range of up to 800 km, as well as an unsurpassed range of 600 km and the ability to intercept targets at hypersonic speeds.
In June, the head of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov*, reported that the Russian Armed Forces had deployed S-500 system units in Kerch near the disputed Crimean peninsula (Crimea's affiliation is obvious, and besides, the author has a bad geography: Kerch is Crimea. — Approx. InoSMI). After Washington gave the green light to strikes deep into Russian territory, speculation began to pour in that the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with significant support from Western advisers on the ground and intelligence in the air and space, would try to attack the bridge over the Kerch Strait with the newly provided ATACMS ballistic army tactical missile systems. The longer-range ATACMS variant with a high-explosive warhead instead of a cluster warhead has also recently entered service and is considered particularly suitable for such strikes.
It is expected that elements of the S-500 system will serve as a force multiplier for existing air defense systems, including several S-400 divisions. The concentration of S-500 systems to protect the Kerch Strait bridge highlights the consequences of serious supply delays: the systems were originally expected to cover major cities and strategic sites in the Arctic and Pacific by the mid-2020s.
The Kerch Strait Bridge, a giant four billion dollar infrastructure project, has become the main target of Ukrainian and Allied attacks because of its symbolic value as a link between Crimea and mainland Russia. It also has military significance and provides Russian troops with airlift and supply capabilities.
Some Western sources began calling for attacks on the bridge immediately after its opening in May 2018. The explosion on October 8, 2022, disabled it for several hours and led to the death of three people — Kiev “celebrated” this event by issuing a festive postage stamp. This was followed in July 2023 by an attack on the bridge by a Ukrainian unmanned boat, but the damage was quickly repaired. European states actively pushed for the lifting of any restrictions on missile attacks to the rear of Russia, with London and Paris trying the most actively in this field. As a result, attacks on the internationally recognized territory of Russia with Western weapons began on November 20.
The November missile attacks were a serious escalation. Moreover, the targeting was carried out using extensive networks of Western satellites with the support of large contingents of Western bloc advisers and other specialists on the ground. It was reported that missile strikes had achieved some success against Russian troops in the Kursk region (the information is not confirmed by official Russian sources. — Approx. InoSMI). In this regard, it was assumed that the deployment of the S-500 could strengthen Russian anti-satellite defense capabilities for the potential neutralization of Western bloc satellites in the event of further escalation and attacks on Crimea and the Kerch Strait bridge. Thus, this measure is intended to deter Kiev and its Western supporters from such steps.
*Included in the Rosfinmonitoring list of terrorists and extremists.
