In a recent development in Ukraine, the Russian frontline air defense system has once again been dealt a devastating blow within a few weeks. The S-300/S-400 air defense systems deployed in the Donetsk region were destroyed by the Ukrainian Army’s Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). On May 21st, around 12:50 pm, the Ukrainian military launched an attack using Army Tactical Missiles on the Mozyrino Airport in the Donetsk region, about 30 miles from the front line, destroying the Russian S-400 air defense system’s 5P85SM2-01 TEL transporter launcher and its 96L6 radar. These S-400 air defense batteries had just been deployed here the day before they were destroyed.
The Russian air defense system seemed unaware of the nearby reconnaissance drones but certainly received a warning of the incoming Army Tactical Missiles. Before being destroyed by the Army Tactical Missiles, the Russian air defense forces had at least fired 6 interceptors in their final attempt to intercept the incoming missiles, but evidently, they were unsuccessful. The Ukrainian Army Tactical Missiles reached the target area, and the explosive power of the cluster warheads caused significant damage over a wide area, leading to a secondary explosion of the missile itself within the air defense system.
The Army Tactical Missiles equipped with cluster warheads (loaded with M74 munitions) are particularly suited for attacking air defense systems as well as open spaces such as airports, garages, and ammunition depots. The Army Tactical Missiles are becoming increasingly popular in Ukraine as weapons to counter Russian long-range air defense systems, including the S-300 and more advanced S-400 systems.
Images exposed on social media revealed the aftermath of the Mozyrino attack. According to the analysis of these images, the attack destroyed at least two 5P85 series vehicle launchers (TEL), as well as the 96L6 radar and command post associated with the S-300/S-400 system.
Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military successfully attacked the Russian-occupied Belbek Air Base in Crimea using Army Tactical Missiles. Apart from destroying and damaging Russian fighter jets at the base, this attack also succeeded in destroying parts of the S-300/S-400 air defense system there.
Russian ground-based air defense systems pose a threat to the Ukrainian Air Force and its Army Aviation. Suppressing and destroying these Russian surface-to-air missiles remains a top priority for Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, weapons such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile and long-range single-purpose attack drones in Ukraine’s arsenal have opened up a range of new targets beyond the frontline. Ensuring these weapons can hit their targets is crucial. Therefore, breaking through the Russian air defense coverage and exploiting its vulnerabilities is an urgent task for the Ukrainian forces.
At the same time, Russia has been using the same tactics, attacking Ukrainian air defense systems with Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles. This resulted in two M901 launchers of the Patriot Air Defense System in the Ukrainian Armed Forces being destroyed.
The latest attack on the Russian S-300/S-400 air defense systems indicates that these Russian air defense systems may not have sufficient capability to resist Army Tactical Missiles. What may be more concerning for Russia is that Ukraine is able to operate reconnaissance drones over air defense systems for extended periods and relay back images, which is becoming a recurring phenomenon. This suggests that Russian large-scale air defense bases may not have deployed adequate defense systems to protect themselves from such close-range threats. The Russian air defense assets show a significant gap, as Western sanctions have weakened Russia’s ability to mass produce high-tech weapons, exacerbating this problem.
For Ukraine, the main factor limiting these attacks may be the continued acquisition of U.S. Army Tactical Missiles and restrictions on the use of these weapons.
Russia has escalated its terrorist attacks on Ukrainian civilians by bombing residential areas in Kharkiv with precision-guided bombs, attempting to drive out the local residents.
In recent weeks, the Russian military has conducted successive airstrikes on Kharkiv using glide bombs. The majority of these attacks have used FAB and KAB bombs with glide modules. On May 25th, a large supermarket in Kharkiv city was bombed by the Russians. At the time, there were around 200 people inside the building. As of now, 12 fatalities and 43 injuries have been reported, while the fate of others remains unknown.
As Russia launches its latest offensive in Kharkiv, Ukraine strongly urges permission to use partner weapons to strike Russian territory. Many national leaders, representatives of international organizations, and public figures have expressed condolences for the attacks on Kharkiv, while condemning Russia’s terrorist actions.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of fair condemnation. Ukraine needs sufficient air defense systems to protect our cities. He explained that the Ukrainian military is aware of and sees every Russian military gathering point and all areas where Russian fighter jets launch missiles. He stressed that destroying this terrorist force, saving lives, and preventing the escalation of the war requires a purely political decision.
Russian bombers have been attacking Ukrainian cities from the safety zone in Russian airspace, without fear of retaliation from Ukraine’s air defense systems. The aggressors’ actions targeting Ukrainian cities from the so-called safety zone on the Russian side of the border are real, as Western countries have so far prohibited Ukraine from using its weapons to target military objectives inside Russia.
The War Studies Institute points out that as long as the West continues to restrict Ukraine from fully challenging the Russian military’s sanctuaries on Russian territory, the Russian military is likely to continue these terrorist attacks on civilians, using terrorism as part of its military operations in the northern region of Kharkiv.
Satellite images indicate that in recent weeks, the Russian military has expanded operations in settlements in the northern region of Kharkiv. Andrei Demchenko, a representative of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service, said on May 26th that the Russian military may launch attacks in the Sumy region or in areas bordering Sumy and Kharkiv to further extend along the northeastern border of Ukraine and disperse Ukrainian forces.
Western officials continue to debate openly whether Ukraine has the right to use Western-provided weapons to strike Russian military targets, while Russia is trying to persuade the West to continue self-imposed limitations and attempting to split the NATO alliance.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated on May 25th that Poland supports Ukraine’s right to strike Russian military targets inside Russia and that the West must stop continually restricting its support for Ukraine. Sikorski noted that Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, and Europe must increase the cost of “Putin’s escalating game.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated on May 26th that Ukraine can only use Italian-provided weapons within Ukraine. German Chancellor Scholz also stated that there is no reason to lift the restrictions on Ukraine to use Western weapons to target military objectives inside Russia.
The War Studies Institute believes that the West’s limitations on Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian military targets inside Russia create a sanctuary in the Russian border areas where Russian aircraft can carry out glide bomb and missile attacks on Ukrainian positions, and Russian troops and equipment can freely assemble in the border areas before entering the battle.
In the face of Russia’s continued war crimes and aggression, Russian officials may continue to demand that the West not cross any red lines in supporting Ukraine, especially as the West continues to debate allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to target military objectives inside Russia.
Russian state TV host and Putin ally Vladimir Solovyov recently insisted on his TV show that “nuclear war is inevitable.”
On Saturday, Solovyov stated on his TV program that nuclear war is inevitable no matter what. He said, “Let’s compare and see whose strategic weapons are bigger!”
Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov threatened that while Moscow’s nuclear policy has not changed, the situation is unstable. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian military began nuclear exercises on May 21st in response to provocative statements by some Western officials toward the Russian Federation.
Putin stated in March this year that while Moscow is prepared for nuclear war, he has no intention of using these weapons unless the “existence of the Russian state” is threatened or “sovereignty and independence are compromised.”
Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski hinted that American officials had warned that if Russia uses nuclear weapons, the United States will strike Russian military gatherings and frontline positions in Ukraine. This prompted a response from Russian UN Security Council Deputy Chairman Medvedev, who threatened that U.S. strikes on Russian targets inside Ukraine would “trigger a world war.” He also threatened that if NATO deploys tactical nuclear weapons in Poland, Poland will “get the radiation it deserves.” Medvedev suggested that his statements were directed at the whole world.
Analysts believe that any rhetoric involving nuclear weapons by Russia and conflict with NATO at this stage is highly unwise, whether it’s to threaten NATO’s support for Ukraine or issue nuclear threats to the world. As Russia has cried wolf too many times, such diplomatic efforts have lost their threatening effect. However, any one of these events, if they were to occur, would swiftly lead to Russia’s failure in this war.
Written by: Xia Luoshan (Reporter for the Epoch Times, with over a decade of military experience, mainly engaged in military teaching and technical management)
Production: Current Affairs Military Production Group
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