Ukrainian ATACMS Attack Targets Russian S-400; Russia Developing Echeloned Defenses

Ukraine used ATACMS ballistic missiles to strike a Russian S-400 air defense system in Russia’s Kursk region, destroying the system's 92N6E Grave Stone radar and additional components.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces recently reported on social media that the S-400, controlled by the 1490th Air Defense Missile Regiment of Russia's 6th Army, was hit during the attack. Three ATACMS missiles were used to target the radar and two launchers belonging to the S-400 system.

This incident follows similar attacks on S-400 components in the Kursk region. The S-400 Triumph system is considered one of Russia's key air defense assets, capable of detecting targets up to 600 kilometers away and intercepting multiple threats, including aircraft and cruise missiles.

Russia Strengthens Echeloned Air and Missile Defenses to Counter U.S.-Made ATACMS and NATO Weapons

Moscow is building an echeloned air and missile defense system to intercept U.S.-made ATACMS and other missiles, according to Alexander Stepanov, a senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He noted that these defenses are tailored to counter precision weapons targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. The system will also address threats from intermediate-range weapons like Tomahawks provided by NATO countries.

Stepanov highlighted that Russia faces no restrictions on using weapons like the Oreshnik missile system to respond to Ukrainian strikes, which he described as employing "terrorist tactics." He accused NATO of supporting international terrorism by supplying high-precision weapons and cited civilian casualties, including children, from an ATACMS strike on a beach as evidence.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported two recent ATACMS strikes on the Kursk Region, targeting an S-400 battalion and causing casualties. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the use of Oreshnik hypersonic missiles against a Ukrainian defense facility in Dnepr. Putin warned of severe consequences if Western policies further escalate the conflict.

Previous strikes on S-400 in Crimea

The first major attack on an S-400 took place at the Novofedorivka Air Base in Crimea in August 2022, where modified S-200 missiles were used.

In August 2023, Ukrainian forces used Neptune missiles to destroy an S-400 in Crimea. Another attack occurred in September 2023 in Yevpatoriya, where drones and Neptune missiles were deployed to neutralize and destroy an S-400 system.