The use and success of Russian air defense in the Special Operation
Airborne fighter with MANPADS "Verba"
Within the framework of the current Special Operation, air defense issues are of great importance. The enemy is actively using various means of air attack, which pose a threat to both our troops and civilian objects and the population. At the same time, anti-aircraft systems and crews of the Russian army have to work in special conditions and solve specific tasks.
Circle of Threats
The task of air defense, military and facility, is to protect territories and objects on them from air attack weapons (AOS). In the current Special Operation, our anti-aircraft gunners encountered the widest range of airborne weapons of various kinds and classes. In order to avoid negative consequences for the troops and the civilian population, air defense must process and neutralize all emerging threats, regardless of their class or nature.
At the time of the outbreak of hostilities, Ukraine had a significant aviation park. A large number of Soviet-built aircraft and helicopters were available, capable of performing combat or support missions. Some of the equipment in the form of Su-24 bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft or MiG-29 fighters was serviceable, while other vehicles needed repair. After the beginning of the Special Operations, foreign partners helped the Kyiv regime restore non-combat-ready equipment, and also began to share their aircraft.
Short-range air defense system "Tor-M1"
In the early stages, Ukrainian tactical aviation used only Soviet-style aircraft weapons (ASP), which it inherited in the past. These were S-8 or S-13 unguided rockets, bombs, etc. Later, it received new weapons from abroad - JDAM guided bombs, AGM-88 high-precision missiles, Storm Shadow, etc. Despite some difficulties, they managed to be used with old Soviet aircraft.
Over the past years, Ukraine has been actively developing its unmanned aircraft. UAVs of all main classes were accepted into service, from small quadrocopters from the commercial market to full-size Bayraktar TB2 reconnaissance and strike systems. In the first months of last year, the development of this direction intensified. New types of UAVs, loitering ammunition, etc. began to arrive from abroad.
The SVN also includes ammunition of various kinds of missile systems. Until last year, the Kiev regime had a significant stock of Soviet MLRS in the main calibers from 122 to 300 mm. Deliveries of various foreign systems began last year. The supply of M270 and M142 products with high-precision long-range projectiles of the GMLRS family was most famous. In addition, since Soviet times, Ukraine has had Tochka-U OTRKs and has been developing its own products of this kind.
Anti-air response
The Russian grouping of troops involved in the Special Operation includes advanced air defense forces and means. Directly in the combat zone, in new regions and in the nearest areas, a large number of various radar and anti-aircraft weapons are deployed and operating. According to known data, systems of almost all types that are in service are involved.
"Buk-M3" on combat duty
The direct cover of troops in positions and on the march, as well as the protection of the civilian population near the line of contact, is carried out by means of military air defense. These include the portable Needles and Willows, the Tor-M1/M2 short-range air defense systems, the Kub-M2/M3 medium-range systems, and the S-300V4 long-range systems. At a distance from the front, the S-400, S-350 and S-300P systems operate. From possible attacks, they are covered by the Pantsiri-S1 rocket-guns.
A developed air situation lighting system was also built. Different areas are monitored by both their own radars of anti-aircraft systems, and individual stations. Part of the tasks is assigned to AWACS aircraft. Communication and control systems have been deployed to ensure the exchange of data between detection systems, command posts and fire weapons.
Other radio-technical means are also involved in solving the problems of air defense. So, for reconnaissance and suppression of air targets, complexes of electronic intelligence and electronic warfare are used. In particular, the latter are represented by both full-size self-propelled models and portable "guns" of a number of types.
The results
From the first days of the Special Operation, Russian air defense has been fighting enemy air defense forces and showing good results. At the same time, it regularly has to deal with new threats that require their own approach. Nevertheless, air defense quickly finds the necessary solutions, and the calculations of the radar and air defense systems quickly learn. As a result, the risks for troops and settlements are again reduced.
Detection and target designation station from the "Buka-M3"
Of particular interest is the struggle of our air defense against Ukrainian aviation. Already in the first days and weeks of the operation, a significant part of the available equipment was destroyed by targeted strikes on airfields. The enemy tries to use the remaining planes and helicopters, but suffers losses. Virtually every day there are reports of the destruction of such targets and the prevention of air strikes against our positions. To date, strike weapons and air defense have jointly destroyed more than 430 enemy aircraft and 230 helicopters.
Established and the fight against enemy ASP. Thus, the effective use of unmanaged weapons in the presence of layered air defense, it is actually excluded. Last year, Ukraine received American AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, but military air defense quickly learned to shoot down such targets. A few weeks ago, the Kyiv regime acquired long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but Russian crews learned how to shoot them down, and the effectiveness of these weapons turned out to be extremely low.
Until recently, UAVs of all classes received widespread advertising, which exposed them almost as a miracle weapon. However, already in the first weeks of the Special Operation, it was shown that this was not the case. Advertised heavy-class reconnaissance and strike UAVs were successfully hit when entering the zone of responsibility of Russian air defense systems. small Drones, considered a difficult target, are also successfully detected, destroyed or suppressed - depending on the means used. The Ministry of Defense reports that to date, the enemy has lost more than 4400 different UAVs.
S-300V4 launcher in a camouflaged position
Tactical ballistic missiles and rockets are considered another difficult target for air defense. Modern domestic air defense systems / air defense systems / air defense systems have the ability to deal with such targets. It was repeatedly reported about the defeat of flying Tochka-U missiles. The interception of missiles of the "Hurricane" systems, etc. is regularly carried out. Since last summer, air defense has had to work on GMLRS guided missiles from HIMARS / MLRS. Trained crews using efficient technology are capable of intercepting whole volleys.
Future Goals
Despite the negative experience in this matter, foreign patrons continue to send various weapons and equipment to Ukraine, incl. means of air attack. First of all, supplies of ammunition are carried out to make up for consumption and losses. In addition, the future transfer of new samples is reported from time to time.
Over the past few weeks, the possibility of supplying American-made F-16 fighters has been discussed. Like other samples before, they have high hopes, however, such aircraft can become a fairly simple target for modern Russian air defense systems and air defense systems. Regardless of the type of ASP used, they will have to enter the air defense zone, which leads to known risks.
Deliveries of new aviation weapons, including ALCMs, also have no prospects. So, the AGM-88 products turned out to be useless, and the effectiveness of the recently delivered British Storm Shadow turned out to be lower than promised. Other weapons of this class with higher characteristics can no longer be offered to Ukraine.
Air traffic control radar "Nebo-SV"
For more than a year, the Kiev regime has been begging foreign partners for ATACMS ballistic missiles. This weapon cannot be called modern for a long time and it is not capable of overcoming modern air defense / missile defense. However, foreign countries are not going to supply such missiles. Perhaps they understand their real potential and do not want to take risks.
Visual result
Over the past decades, the development of air defense has been one of the main directions of military construction in our country. New complexes and systems of all main classes were regularly developed, entered service and put into production. From them, developed echeloned highly effective groupings for various purposes were formed.
Right now, the military and object air defense of the Russian army is undergoing a major test in real combat conditions. They successfully detect and destroy enemy air attack weapons of various classes. Moreover, for the first time our complexes encountered a number of modern foreign weapons for various purposes. In all cases, Russian air defense is showing good results, and is also gaining experience. All this should have a positive impact on the further development of the whole direction.
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