Russia Activates First S-500 Air and Missile Defense Regiment
Russia has announced that the first air and missile defense regiment equipped with the S-500 system has entered combat duty.
The S-500 Prometheus, operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, is designed to engage a wide range of long-range and high-altitude targets, including fifth-generation aircraft, low-orbit satellites, and ballistic and cruise missiles.
“The Aerospace Forces have formed their first air defense and missile defense division,” Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.
“The first regiment, equipped with the unique S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, capable of striking targets in near space, has entered combat duty.”
No additional technical or operational details were disclosed.
The formation of the regiment was announced in January by Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, who said the system is nearing full operational readiness.
Reports of its deployment had preceded the announcement, with Russian and Ukrainian media citing its use to protect key assets such as the Kerch Bridge, which links the Russian mainland to the Crimean Peninsula across the Black Sea.
S-500
Russia began developing the S-500 in 2010, shortly after deploying its first batch of S-400s in 2007.
According to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, the S-500 was developed to complement the S-400 and other air defenses, filling the gap between tactical military and strategic air and missile defense systems.
Developed by Almaz-Antey, the system employs either four 40N6M long-range surface-to-air missiles or two 77N6 interceptors housed in launch canisters on a mobile launcher.
The 40N6M has an estimated range of up to 400 kilometers (248 miles), while the 77N6 series interceptors can reach around 600 kilometers (373 miles).
The radar architecture reportedly combines long-range search radars with dedicated engagement radars, enabling rapid tracking and fire control against fast, high-altitude threats.
“The system features four radar vehicles per battery, including the 91N6E(M) S-band acquisition radar, 96L6-TsP C-band acquisition radar, 76T6 multi-mode engagement radar, and 77T6 anti-ballistic missile engagement radar,” according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“This radar complex reportedly allows the S-500 to detect ballistic and airborne targets at up to 2,000 (1,243 miles) and 800 kilometers (497 miles), respectively.”
