Russia has recently placed components of its new S-500 air-defense system in Crimea, as reported by Ukraine. This move potentially exposes the system to Ukrainian attacks, highlighting the experimental and valuable nature of the technology.
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, revealed that Russia has stationed parts of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in Crimea. The system, also known as the Prometheus surface-to-air missile system, is still in its experimental phase.
The deployment marks the first appearance of the S-500 in Crimea, although the specific components relocated remain undisclosed. Air-defense systems like the S-500 consist of various elements including command posts, radars, and launchers.
Currently, the exact number of S-500 systems in Russia remains unknown, with Moscow aiming to begin serial production of the system by next year.
Reports from Russian media indicated the deployment of the first S-500 system around Moscow in fall 2021. However, continuous Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s air defenses in Crimea, including the previous S-400 system, have strained the defense of crucial assets on the peninsula.
The Institute for the Study of War, based in the U.S., suggested that further Ukrainian attacks on these air-defense assets could jeopardize Crimea as a strategic base for the Russian military.
The S-500 deployment was specifically noted to protect the Kerch Bridge, a vital structure connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland. The bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, is essential for maintaining supply routes to Russian troops in Crimea and controlled areas of mainland Ukraine.
Placing parts of the S-500 in Crimea is seen as a strategic response to losses of S-300 and S-400 systems, allowing Russia to test components of the S-500 while maintaining defense capabilities in the region.