Russia Deploys Its Most Advanced Air Defense System, S-500 “Prometheus” to Ukraine Conflict

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russia has deployed its most advanced air defense system, the S-500 “Prometheus,” to the Crimea Peninsula, which it annexed from Ukraine, to protect the Kerch Bridge that spans the Kerch Strait.

This claim was made by Ukrainian Intelligence Director Lt Gen Krylo Budanov.

If Budanov’s claim is accurate, it marks the first deployment of the long-range air defense system S-500 to a battlefield, potentially enhancing Russia’s capability to defend its interests from aerial attacks, particularly from missiles.

“Russia’s latest element, the S-500, has appeared in the city of Kerch,” stated the Ukrainian intelligence director in an interview with local media, adding that Moscow might want to test this newly developed air defense system.

The Kerch Bridge, connecting Russia’s Krasnodar Krai with the Crimea Peninsula, was constructed by Moscow soon after its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Built at a cost of US$3.7 billion, the 19km-long bridge is the longest in Europe.

 

Throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kiev has launched several attacks on the bridge using cruise missiles like Storm Shadow and SCALP in attempts to destroy this critical supply route for Russian forces in Crimea.

 According to Russian news agency TASS in April, then Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that the S-500 air defense system would begin combat operations this year.

The long-range air defense system S-500, set to be received and operated by Russian forces this year, will come in two variants—one for ballistic missile defense (BMD) and the other for long-range air defense.

 Russian media outlet Izvestia, citing sources from the Ministry of Defense, reported that the military had conducted various tests before operating the system this year.

Tests on the S-500 system demonstrated its capability to intercept and shoot down guided missiles.

In one test conducted in February this year, the S-500 successfully intercepted and destroyed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) R-29RMU2 Sineva launched by a nuclear-powered submarine in the Laptev Sea, at the Chizha test site in Arkhangelsk region.

 

Additionally, the S-500 system has undergone tests where it reportedly shot down the Russian satellite Kosmos-1408, destroyed in orbit in November 2021.

 The satellite shooting test also raised concerns in the United States about the system’s anti-satellite defense capabilities.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the tests conducted demonstrated that the S-500 system had passed all set tests, enabling it to handle current and future air threats.

To tackle aerodynamic targets, the S-500 uses the long-range interceptor missile 40H6M, previously used by the S-400 system, while to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere, possibly near outer space, it uses the 77N6 missile.

 

Developed by Russian defense firm Almaz-Antey, the S-500 system is capable of shooting down targets at distances of 500km to 600km, recognized as the longest range for any air defense system.

It can simultaneously shoot down up to 10 targets. A battery of this air defense system includes up to four radars, allowing it to detect and track targets from distances between 800km and 2,000km. — DSA