Ukrainian air defense missile systems used against Russian aircraft
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a powerful grouping of the country's air defense forces remained in Ukraine, the like of which was not in any of the union republics. Only Russia possessed a large arsenal of anti-aircraft weapons. The airspace of the Ukrainian SSR was defended by two corps (49th and 60th) of the 8th separate air defense army. In addition, units of the 28th Air Defense Corps of the 2nd Separate Air Defense Army were located on the territory of Ukraine.
Also in Ukraine there were educational institutions in which training was conducted for the air defense forces: the Higher Radio Engineering Academy in Kharkov, the Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School in Dnepropetrovsk and the Training Regiment in Evpatoria, where junior specialists were trained.
The structure and armament of the anti-aircraft missile forces stationed in Ukraine were similar to those adopted in the USSR air defense forces. Anti-aircraft missile battalions of the 8th Air Defense Army were armed with air defense systems: S-75M3, S-125M / M1, S-200VM and S-300PT / PS. The S-75M, S-125, S-200A complexes removed from combat duty were located at the storage bases. In 1991, the 8th Air Defense Army included 18 anti-aircraft missile regiments and anti-aircraft missile brigades, which had more than 100 anti-aircraft missile battalions.
During the Soviet era, air defense systems were deployed along the western border and around important administrative and industrial centers. In terms of the density of deployment of medium and long-range air defense systems per unit of territory, Ukraine confidently ranked first in the world.
The combat composition of the 8th separate air defense army
In the Ukrainian air defense network, inherited from the Soviet Union after its collapse, detection and air defense systems were organized so that they could protect strategically important objects and geographic regions. Among them are industrial and administrative centers: Kyiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Nikolaev, Odessa and Crimea until 2014.
After the division of the Soviet inheritance, independent Ukraine got huge stocks of equipment and weapons, which in the early 1990s seemed inexhaustible. The future seemed cloudless to Ukrainian politicians and generals, and the volume of Soviet weapons seemed completely redundant.
In the process of reforming the armed forces of Ukraine, the first to be reduced were parts of the ZRV, where the S-75M3 and S-125M air defense systems were in service. Dozens of complexes went for recycling, and with them thousands of anti-aircraft missiles. This was largely due to objective circumstances. First of all, the first-generation complexes, which required labor-intensive maintenance, with a lamp element base, which had exhausted their resource, and missiles with long-expired warranty periods of storage, for which there was no conditioned jet fuel, were primarily written off. However, they were not disposed of recklessly, but they tried to sell them to states whose armed forces already had experience in the operation and combat use of Soviet air defense systems. It is known that several complexes sailed to countries with a hot climate.
As of 2010, there were about three dozen on-site anti-aircraft systems and complexes of medium and long range in working condition in Ukraine: S-300PT/PS and S-200VM air defense systems. Maintaining the S-200VM air defense system with liquid-propellant rockets, which used toxic fuel and an aggressive flammable oxidizer, was possible thanks to the heroic efforts of the calculations and the refurbishment. Until 2014, several srdns survived, armed with long-range S-200VMs. But at the moment there are no more efficient complexes of this type in Ukraine. In 2016, the last division of the 540th Lviv anti-aircraft missile regiment was liquidated.
In the course of the reorganization of the Air Force of Ukraine, due to the lack of modern medium and long-range anti-aircraft weapons, the Buk-M1 and S-300V1 military air defense systems were transferred to the air defense systems that carry out object air defense. More about these Ukrainian complexes was told earlier.
Ukrainian air defense systems S-300PT/PS
Military expert Alexander Khramchikhin writes that Ukraine received 43 S-300PT/PS air defense divisions from the USSR. In the second half of the 1980s, the S-300PT and S-300PS systems were unified for 5V55R solid-propellant anti-aircraft missiles (firing range at high-altitude targets up to 75 km), which use radio command guidance with sighting through the SAM (radio command guidance of the second kind). The main difference between the S-300PT (put into service in 1979) and the S-300PS (put into service in 1983) is that the main elements of the S-300PT system are towed, while on the S-300PS they are self-propelled.
Towed launchers of the Ukrainian S-300PT air defense system
Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, all previously built S-300PTs were refurbished and upgraded to improve combat performance. The system with modified guidance equipment received the designation S-300PT-1.
Position of ZRS C-300PT near Kiev
The warranty period for the S-300PT/PS before overhaul was set at 25 years, and the latest air defense systems available in Ukraine were produced in 1990. Approximately during the first 15 years after Kyiv received “independence”, the maintenance of the newest complexes in working condition was mainly due to the “cannibalism” of anti-aircraft systems in storage. However, there were not enough used parts and assemblies, and by 2010, 12–14 divisions could be on combat duty.
After long delays and a search for funding, in 2004, the Center for Armaments and Military Equipment, which is a structural subdivision of the State Enterprise Ukroboronservis, began practical work on the restoration and partial modernization of the S-300PT/PS air defense system. In mid-2012, the “Program for restoring the combat capability of anti-aircraft missile troops of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine until 2017” was approved, the implementation of which was entrusted to Ukroboronservis. The program provided for the annual repair of four S-300PS complexes and one Buk-M1. In addition to anti-aircraft systems, five 5N83S command and control posts were repaired and modernized, each of which closes up to 6 zrdn.
Radar 64N6 in position near Kyiv
Also mentioned was the refurbishment of the 64N6 combat mode radar, intended for issuing target designation of the S-300PT/PS air defense system. In the course of repair and restoration work, these stations received new means of displaying information and communication. At the Zhulyansky machine-building plant "Vizar", the service life of 5V55R anti-aircraft missiles was extended.
Satellite image of Google Earth: S-300PS position in the vicinity of the village of Nechaevo at the former position of the S-200 air defense system, Kherson region
Anti-aircraft missile divisions were taken off combat duty one by one and sent for repairs. To save the resource of missiles and military equipment, the Ukrainian S-300PT/PS very often carried out combat duty with a reduced staff, when there were only 2-4 launchers in the firing position.
In 2014, two Ukrainian S-300PS divisions and one S-300PT were deployed on the territory of the Crimean peninsula. After Crimea became part of the Russian Federation, most of the personnel of the Ukrainian air defense units stationed in Crimea swore allegiance to Russia. The Russian media reported that the Ukrainian S-300PT/PS stationed in Crimea and part of the equipment of the radio engineering units were returned to Ukraine.
Scheme of the location of the Ukrainian S-300PT / PS air defense systems on the territory of Crimea as of 2013
In 2015, Kyiv launched a large-scale modernization program for existing air defense systems, which was partially successful. It is no secret that the Ukrainian military-industrial complex does not have the ability to independently build modern medium-range and long-range air defense systems, and the program for creating a promising medium-range complex designed by Luch Design Bureau based on aviation R-27 medium-range missiles were not implemented. In this regard, Ukraine had no other choice but to reanimate Soviet-made anti-aircraft systems.
It must be said that the Russian Aerospace Forces decommissioned the last towed S-300PT in 2013, and most of the Russian S-300PS were decommissioned or transferred to Belarus and Kazakhstan. It is reported that Russian 5V55R (5V55RM) missiles with expired shelf life are used to strike ground targets.
Despite serious difficulties, Ukraine managed to restore a significant part of the available S-300PT / PS air defense systems. In preparing this publication, on satellite images that are in the public domain, corresponding to 2020–2021, it was possible to find the positions of 22 S-300PT/PS air defense divisions. Another six missiles were located at storage bases and at the points of permanent deployment of anti-aircraft missile brigades.
Google Earth satellite image: S-300PT position near Lviv (picture taken in April 2020)
Oleksandr Khramchikhin, in the article “How terrible is the Ukrainian air defense”, published in the newspaper “Nezavisimoe military review” on September 6, 2022, writes:
The Air Command "Center" has the 96th anti-aircraft missile brigade (zrbr) (Danilovka; three S-300PS and two S-300PT divisions, another S-300PT division is mothballed), the 156th air defense missile brigade (Zolotonosha; three divisions "Buk-M1") and the 210th SRP (Uman; two S-300V1 divisions). However, the 210th SRP, most likely, does not exist: its creation was planned in connection with the "resuscitation" of the S-300V, but never took place.
Air Command "West" includes the 11th SRP (Shepetovka; four Buk-M1 battalions), 223rd SRP (Stryi; three Buk-M1 battalions and possibly one Strela-10 battalion), 540 th (Kamenka-Bugskaya; two S-300PT divisions, one more division is mothballed).
Air Command "South" includes the 160th zrbrb (Odessa, Nikolaev; three divisions of S-300PS, another division may have been mothballed), the 201st zrbr (Pervomaisk; from two to five divisions of S-300PS, possibly one each S-300PT and S-300V divisions), 208th air defense brigade (Kherson; two S-300PT and PS divisions each, another S-300PT division may have been mothballed). Apparently, the only restored division of the S-300V is in the 201st srp, and the 210th srp has not been created.
The Vostok Air Command includes the 138th air defense brigade (Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov; five or six S-300PT divisions) and the 301st air defense regiment (Nikopol; three S-300PS divisions).
In total, therefore, there are 24–29 S-300P air defense divisions (11–13 PT, 13–16 PS) ...
Air Command "West" includes the 11th SRP (Shepetovka; four Buk-M1 battalions), 223rd SRP (Stryi; three Buk-M1 battalions and possibly one Strela-10 battalion), 540 th (Kamenka-Bugskaya; two S-300PT divisions, one more division is mothballed).
Air Command "South" includes the 160th zrbrb (Odessa, Nikolaev; three divisions of S-300PS, another division may have been mothballed), the 201st zrbr (Pervomaisk; from two to five divisions of S-300PS, possibly one each S-300PT and S-300V divisions), 208th air defense brigade (Kherson; two S-300PT and PS divisions each, another S-300PT division may have been mothballed). Apparently, the only restored division of the S-300V is in the 201st srp, and the 210th srp has not been created.
The Vostok Air Command includes the 138th air defense brigade (Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov; five or six S-300PT divisions) and the 301st air defense regiment (Nikopol; three S-300PS divisions).
In total, therefore, there are 24–29 S-300P air defense divisions (11–13 PT, 13–16 PS) ...
The layout of the positions of the Ukrainian S-300PT / PS air defense systems as of 2020, compiled on the basis of Google Earth satellite images
Shortly before the start of a special military operation, overseas "partners" warned Kyiv about the approximate date and possible scenario. Having received this information, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine redeployed most of the existing S-300PT / PS, removing them from the attack. The equipment and personnel of several divisions were moved to well-camouflaged underground shelters.
This helped only partially, several units were destroyed in the first days of the special operation, and elements of one complex deployed in the Kherson region were captured by the Russian army.
Satellite image of Google Earth: the position of the S-300PS in the vicinity of Nova Kakhovka, the image was taken in April 2020
But even taking into account the defeat and confusion of the first days, the Ukrainian S-300PT / PS air defense systems were forced to reckon with themselves, inflicting sensitive losses on Russian front-line aviation. Despite repeated statements by Russian propagandists and high-ranking military officials about the complete suppression of the Ukrainian air defense system, it quickly managed to recover from the shock, after which a kind of balance was established.
Satellite image of Google Earth: the position of the S-300PS near Nikolaev, the picture was taken in April 2021
The pilots of Russian combat aircraft began to avoid entering the zone of operation of the Ukrainian Buk-M1 air defense systems and S-300PS / PT air defense systems deployed far from the line of armed confrontation, after which their calculations switched to fighting cruise missiles. According to information published in open sources, the Ukrainian S-300PT / PS are capable of fighting such complex targets as the KR at a distance of no more than 55 km.
In general, despite some shortcomings, the old Soviet anti-aircraft systems, whose age has already exceeded 30 years, demonstrate good efficiency. I must say that the Russian special military operation was the first armed conflict in which the S-300P systems were used for their intended purpose in real combat conditions.
ZRS S-300PMU
In April of this year, Slovakia handed over to Ukraine the only S-300PMU battalion that was part of the national air defense forces.
The S-300PMU air defense system is an export version of the S-300PS, distinguished by combat control and state identification equipment. The main characteristics: firing range, reach in height, the number of simultaneously tracked and fired targets correspond to the S-300PS.
Self-propelled launcher 5P85S Slovak S-300PMU
Domestic experts noted that the Slovak air defense system is very worn out and outdated, and anti-aircraft missiles that have not undergone maintenance may be unsafe when fired. In addition, it is required to interface the surviving Ukrainian combat control systems with the command post of the Slovak S-300PMU, which has been operating according to NATO standards for the past decade and a half. There were statements in the Russian media that the S-300PMU system transferred to Ukraine was destroyed by a high-precision strike of cruise missiles shortly after delivery. However, no evidence for this has been presented.
Ukrainian low-altitude air defense systems S-125
At the end of 1991, 29 divisions of low-altitude S-125M / M1 air defense systems came under Ukrainian jurisdiction, and about 15 more old S-125s with launchers for two missiles were in storage.
Although the S-125 air defense system, like the S-75 and S-200, belongs to the first generation, due to its relatively simple design and good service and operational characteristics, after modernization, this complex is still in demand. S-125 became the first anti-aircraft complex of the USSR Air Defense Forces with solid-propellant anti-aircraft missiles. The use of solid fuel in SAM engines has a number of significant advantages over anti-aircraft missiles fueled with liquid fuel and an oxidizer.
Rocket 5V27D with a length of 5 mm weighed 900 kg. The mass of the warhead equipped with RDX was 950 kg. Impact zone: 90–2,5 km. Ceiling - 25 km. The introduction of a number of new technical solutions that had not been used before in Soviet air defense facilities made it possible to reduce the lower boundary of the affected area in the first version to 18 meters, and on the modernized S-200M125 (S-1M125A) Neva-M1 complex with anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) 1V5D this indicator was 27 meters. This became very important after the American and Israeli aviation, having encountered the S-25 air defense system, switched to low-altitude operations.
As the Ukrainian low-altitude S-125 complexes deteriorated, they were removed from combat duty. The last S-125M1 air defense systems from near Mariupol and in the Crimea were withdrawn from their positions in 2005. Relatively fresh complexes were not disposed of, but sent for storage.
Satellite image of Google Earth: the position of the C-125 air defense system in the vicinity of the Donuzlav airfield
Part of the S-125 was repaired and sold at dumping prices on the foreign market. Ukrainian low-altitude air defense systems were supplied to Georgia, but in the 2008 conflict, these systems, due to the inability of the Georgians to control them, were not used.
It was reported about the supply of S-125 air defense systems and their individual elements to African countries, including those where there were active hostilities. Thus, Uganda purchased four S-125 air defense systems and 300 missiles from Ukraine in 2008. Subsequently, they ended up in the warring South Sudan. Another well-known customer of the Ukrainian S-125 air defense systems was Angola, which received a batch of Ukrainian systems under a contract concluded in 2010. As of 2015, Ukrainian storage bases still had about 10 S-125M1 air defense systems suitable for modernization.
In the spring of 2015, it became known about the intention of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to adopt the S-125-2D Pechora-2D air defense system, created on the basis of a late modification of the S-125M1. According to open sources, in the course of modernization, all the fixed assets of the complex were finalized. This modernization option, originally intended for export, was developed at the Aerotekhnika research and production enterprise in Kyiv. The S-125-2D air defense system was tested in 2010.
According to the developers, the resource has been extended for 15 years, the tasks of improving reliability, mobility, survivability and resistance to electronic interference have been solved. It is reported that modernization and extension of the service life of the 5V27D SAM and the transfer of all elements of the complex to a mobile chassis were carried out. If placed on the shore, the S-125-2D Pechora-2D air defense system can be used against sea targets. However, non-modernized C-125s of early modifications also had this ability.
The adoption of the modernized S-125-2D air defense system was a purely forced measure, designed to at least partially patch holes in the Ukrainian air defense system. At the first public display of the S-125-2D Pechora-2D air defense system in 2015, it was stated that this complex was designed to solve air defense tasks in the ATO zone, but in reality it can provide anti-aircraft cover for stationary objects in the near zone at a considerable distance from the front line.
A number of sources claim that in 2018, Ukraine upgraded several S-125M1 air defense systems for Ethiopia to the level of S-125ME1 (2) Blue Nile. In total, 3 guidance stations and 74 radically upgraded missiles were delivered in the amount of $7 million.
The main difference between the S-125ME1 (2) air defense system and the non-modernized S-125M1 is the introduction of a modified FCR-125 missile guidance station and the use of 5V27D-M1 missiles with a semi-active radar seeker and 5V27D-M2 with an active radar seeker.
It is reported that the MiG-29 fighter is captured by the homing head of the 5V27D-M2 missile at a distance of 20 km. In this case, the firing mode "shot and forget" is implemented. The FCR-125 guidance station can detect air targets at a range of 120 km. It is possible to use non-modernized 5V27D missiles, but in this case, when tracking one target, two missiles can be directed at it. In the case of the use of 5V27D-M1 missiles, four missiles can be simultaneously aimed at two targets. With 5V27D-M2 missiles, it is possible to simultaneously fire three targets with six missiles. The far boundary of the affected area of the modernized complex with new missiles (5V27D-M1 and 5V27D-M2) is 40 kilometers, the maximum height is 25 kilometers.
There is information that the Ukrainian air defense forces, which are structurally part of the Air Force, received 2019–2 S-3 divisions in 125. It is not clear whether these are modernized air defense systems or only restored ones, and if modernized, then according to which option. One C-125-2D1 zrdn had the Ukrainian Navy, it was stationed in Ochakiv.
Due to the fact that S-125s were widely supplied abroad, air defense systems of this type are available in NATO countries: Bulgaria and Poland. Bulgarian low-altitude complexes are suitable only for use as a source of spare parts, but the Polish ones, on the contrary, have a fairly high combat value.
About 15 years ago, Poland upgraded some of the available S-125M1A Neva-M1 air defense systems to the Newa-SC level. At the same time, most of the electronics was transferred from electrovacuum devices to a solid-state element base. Thanks to the use of digital technologies and new algorithms of work, it was possible to improve noise immunity and increase the speed of information processing. The control cabin and antenna post were installed on the MAZ-543 wheeled chassis, which was previously used for OTP R-17 launchers.
Newa-SC anti-aircraft missile guidance station
Launchers 5P73 with four anti-aircraft missiles were transferred to the tracked chassis of the WZT-1 armored recovery vehicle, which has much in common with the base tank T-55. At the same time, solid fuel was replaced in the 5V27 SAM and the main elements were prevented.
Self-propelled launcher of the Polish air defense system Newa-SC
Currently, the 3rd Warsaw Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade is armed with 17 Newa-SC air defense systems. These complexes were planned to be operated until 2026, after which they would be replaced by new British-Polish Narew air defense systems. However, in the light of recent events, the leadership of the command of the Polish Army decided to intensify the supply of Narew air defense systems, and the Newa-SC to be decommissioned can be donated to Ukraine.
To be continued ...
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