Ukrainian Forces Capture Intact Russian S-300 Air Defense Missile System

Apparently it was trundling down a Ukrainian road on which it shouldnt have been driving. 

The capture adds to Ukraine's air defense capabilities - and detracts from Russia's - at a critical time. JL 

Peter Suciu reports in 19fortyfive:

The launcher was captured fully intact by Ukrainian forces shortly after the New Year. It would apparently be the first time Kyiv’s forces have captured one of Moscow’s air defense systems. The S-300 was designed for the air defense of military bases and large industrial and administrative facilities, as well as against enemy aircraft. A number have been modified by Russia to perform surface-to-surface strikes, and the S-300 has been among the missiles used to target Ukrainian urban centers and critical infrastructure.Ukraine Reportedly Captured an Intact S-300 Air Defense System – Videos have been circulating across social media that show a Russian S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) mobile air-defense system driving down a dirt road in Ukraine. The sight of such a platform probably isn’t all that special as it is operated by both sides in the ongoing conflict.

However, what made the viral video especially noteworthy is that it has been claimed the particular launcher was captured fully intact by Ukrainian forces shortly after the New Year.

S-300: What Is It? 

Western media has confirmed the details, but if true, it would apparently be the first time Kyiv’s forces have captured one of Moscow’s air defense systems.

The S-300 system was initially developed during the Cold War to defend against air raids and cruise missiles for the Soviet Air Defence Forces. Subsequent variations of the mobile air defense platform were also developed to be able to intercept ballistic missiles.

The S-300 system was first deployed by the Soviet Armed Forces in 1979, designed for the air defense of military bases and large industrial and administrative facilities, as well as control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

 

A number have been modified by Russian forces to perform surface-to-surface strikes, and the S-300 has been among the missile systems used to target Ukrainian urban centers and critical infrastructure.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine maintained a number of the S-300 launchers in service. Following Russia’s invasion, Kyiv received an additional battery from Slovakia, but the capture of an intact system could further bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.

 

Greek S-300s to Ukraine?

The recently captured S-300 could also be joined by a pair of S-300 PMU1 systems from Greece. As previously reported, the weapons had been supplied to the Republic of Cyprus during the Missile Crisis that began in early 1997. When the crisis ended in December 1998, the Cypriot government transferred its two S-300 air-defense systems to Greece’s Hellenic Air Force in exchange for alternative weapons. In a U.S.-broker compromise, the S-300 was eventually stationed in Crete – and now 25 years later it could head to Ukraine.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos pledged to provide the S-300 systems that are currently stored in Crete to Ukraine. In exchange, Athens would receive a U.S.-made Patriot air-defense system.

“If the U.S. deploys a Patriot system on Crete, then after it is integrated into the national air defense system, the S-300s can be removed,” Panagiotopoulos said during an address last month, adding, “the same procedure applies to any other Russian air defense system that they (the U.S.) would like to send to Ukraine.”

 

Russia was quick to respond last month, and a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry even suggested that the Kremlin would seek to locate any and all of the anti-aircraft weapons.

“We consider plans to supply the Kyiv regime with S-300s or other Russian/Soviet air defense systems that will be used against Russia very provocative,” Maria Zakharova, foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters. “There is a complete indifference by Greece on the international limitations on arms trading.”

In addition to the S-300s, Ukraine will receive a U.S.-made Patriot missile battery, which could help Kyiv counter Russian missiles and drones that have been increasingly used to target Ukrainian cities as the Kremlin forces have been driven back on the battlefield.