Russia Deploys Anti-Aircraft Missile System To Protect Its Capital

Russia has set up anti-aircraft S-400 ‘Growler’ missile systems that can hit a target 250 miles away to guard the skies above Moscow.

S-400 ‘Growler’ missile systems, which are used widely in Syria, have been stationed outside the Russian capital. An air force regiment had been deployed to the region around the city, Russia’s defence ministry was quoted as saying by Independent today.

Another air defence regiment equipped with the S-400 system will be put on combat duty near Moscow soon, officials said. The S-400 is called as ‘Triumf’ missile system in Russia and Nato calls it the 'Growler'. It is the country’s most advanced surface-to-air missile system and can hit a target 250 miles away.

The weapon has been sent to the city of Podolsk, 15 miles south of Moscow. “The combat crews of the Aerospace Forces' Moscow Region air defence formation's surface-to-air missile regiment, which received the new regimental set of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, have begun air defence combat duty on Wednesday, January 11, in Moscow and Russia's central industrial region,” the defence ministry said.

The deployment will offer protection to the Russian capital at a time of heightened tensions with the West. The S-400 was designed to protect critical state infrastructure, such as bridges, power stations and rail lines – from "enemy air attacks”.

The deployment follows November's announcement that Russia was deploying the same missile defence system to Kaliningrad.

The Russian enclave borders Poland and Lithuania and missiles based there would be capable of targeting Nato aircraft and missiles over most of the Baltic region.