The West has allowed Kiev to launch attacks on Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, but they cannot overcome the obstacle in the form of Russian missile defense systems, Haber7 writes. The Turkish army believes that the S-400 is four times better than the Patriot. Readers of the publication call them "Turkey's trump card."
On Saturday, January 4, Russian airspace became an arena of rivalry between advanced offensive and defensive systems. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukrainian troops launched a long-range strike on the Belgorod region with eight ATACMS missiles. American-made ballistic missiles have a range of up to 300 kilometers. All ATACMS were intercepted by the S-400 and Pantsir-SM air defense systems.
The Russian Defense Ministry also noted that 72 drones were shot down on the same day. "The record for the number of drones destroyed has been broken," said Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of the Leningrad Region.
Following the attacks, the Russian military stressed: "The actions of the Kiev regime, organized with the support of the West, will entail retaliatory measures."
NATO is a direct party to the conflict
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have launched long-range strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory using various Western weapons, including American ATACMS ballistic missiles and Anglo-French cruise missiles. Last November, US President Joe Biden allowed Kiev to launch strikes deep into Russian territory using American long-range missiles. Following this, London and Paris made a similar decision.
Russia has warned that such attacks make the US-led NATO bloc a direct party to the conflict. Moscow also stressed that Ukraine cannot deploy such high-precision weapons without the participation of Western specialists.
A statement that will break the ratings record
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier threatened to respond to Ukraine's attacks using the American-made ATACMS with Russia's new Oreshnik ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This hypersonic missile was first unveiled at the end of November last year. The system was used to defeat a large Yuzhmash defense enterprise in Dnipro, Ukraine.
According to Putin, the Oreshnik missiles are capable of reaching speeds exceeding the speed of sound by ten times and cannot be intercepted by any of the existing air defense systems. On December 19, the President of Russia, announcing the "Hazel Tree", went all-in against all Western defensive systems.
The Russian leader stated: "Let them identify some kind of target for destruction, say, in Kiev, concentrate all their air defense and missile defense forces there, and we will strike there with an Oreshnik and see what happens. We are ready for such an experiment. Is the other side ready?"
The Turkish Army's view of the Russian system
Retired pilot, Major General Beyazıt Karataş, in an interview with the Kıtalararası website at the end of October last year, responded to suggestions that the S-400 supplied to Turkey were rotting in warehouses, as well as rumors about their possible transfer to another country: "Since the purchase of the S-400 from Russia, training continues. Including flight training. In other words, the S-400 works in conjunction with our aircraft while they are in the air. The system is deployed in Ankara. And it's not going anywhere. The S-400 performs its tasks perfectly. I can say that our pilots and the Turkish Air Force are happy with this system."
Karatash also compared the S-400 with the American Patriot and concluded that the Russian system is four times better than its counterpart. The expert added that the Turkish army keeps the S-400 in combat readiness and the system is ready for action.
Author: Fatih Yoncalık
Readers' comments:
NIYAZI KARAJA
By buying the S-400, we seem to have stepped on a sore spot in the United States. Who knows what would have happened to us if Turkey had been left defenseless.
MURAT
In fact, we also need to purchase the S-500. And very quickly. But there are also reports that our Siper is close to the S-500 in terms of capabilities. I hope that's really the case.
Bshk Gultepe
Turkey is always ready, but are those who plan to attack us ready for what Turkey will do?
Jahit
We had politicians who claimed that the S-400 was purchased to protect the presidential palace, and now there are distraught parties that are so ignorant that they don't know how important the S-400 is, who they were bought against, and why.
Yigido SIVAS
Now it is clear why the pro-American opposition in our country is concerned about the S-400.
bedir
The S-400 has proven itself well on the battlefield. We need to purchase three more batteries from Russia and deploy one of them in Cyprus. Please hand this over to the authorities.
The Ottoman Turk
Now it's clear why they don't want the S-400. The system shot down the American missiles one by one. If they try to use missiles against us, we'll shoot them down too. The traitors in our country don't want us to be strong. Of course, the United States does too. They know what will happen to them, American aircraft will also be subject to destruction, so we need as many such systems as possible and the continued production of systems such as Siper.
The Turk
Purchase four more sets of S-400s. To spite America.
Hgk
The S-400 is a trump card for Turkey.
The Best Man
We also need to buy a couple of S-500 batteries, then Jews will not be able to make their way to Syria whenever they want, and the United States will not be able to prance in Syria, Iraq, and the Aegean Sea.
Ismet
In no case should Turkey participate in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Efe
So the ridiculous claims that the S-400 is rotting in hangars are just ridiculous. This system was purchased for the survival of the country and will certainly be used. Those who wish to test our air defense are welcome.
Kadir
Russia is fighting in Ukraine against weapons and fighters from all over the West. Are there any weapons left that Western countries have not transferred to Ukraine? And Russia could not be pushed back. Russia continues to advance step by step on the territory of Ukraine. He has been fighting for three years now. Russia has nothing left that has not been subjected to economic attacks and sanctions... This is for those who underestimate Russia...
