A few people asked if all 22 S-300/S-400 sites around Moscow are...
Fabian Hoffmann, PhD@FRHoffmann1
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Oct 01, 2024
~2 min read
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A few people asked if all 22 S-300/S-400 sites around Moscow are still active or if some systems have been removed and redeployed, likely closer to Ukraine.
In other words, does Moscow's air defense network underperform because it no longer exists?
A short thread. 1/8
In other words, does Moscow's air defense network underperform because it no longer exists?
A short thread. 1/8
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First, @AS_22im is the true expert on tracking S-300/S-400 sites. I recommend you follow him.
My TL;DR: Satellite imagery indicates that most air defense sites around Moscow remain intact, although some have lost a few launchers, while other sites are completely gone.
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My TL;DR: Satellite imagery indicates that most air defense sites around Moscow remain intact, although some have lost a few launchers, while other sites are completely gone.
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A good example of an air defense site that remains fully in-tact is the one near Novovorino (56.1676, 37.82313).
The image on the left is from June 2019, the one on the right from May 2024. The only difference is that the launchers are erected, suggesting higher readiness.
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The image on the left is from June 2019, the one on the right from May 2024. The only difference is that the launchers are erected, suggesting higher readiness.
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This site near Bylovo (55.46623, 37.23506) is a good example for an air defense site that has lost some launchers.
Comparing the image on the left (October 2021) with the image on the right (May 2024) indicates that the site has lost about two battery's worth of launchers.
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Comparing the image on the left (October 2021) with the image on the right (May 2024) indicates that the site has lost about two battery's worth of launchers.
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This site near Sosny (55.31037, 37.60879) is a good example of a site that lost all of its equipment.
Comparing the image on the left (May 2021) with the one on the right (June 2023) suggests that about two batteries of equipment have been removed, leaving the site empty.
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Comparing the image on the left (May 2021) with the one on the right (June 2023) suggests that about two batteries of equipment have been removed, leaving the site empty.
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In total, I count three now empty sites:
55.31037, 37.60879;
55.91933, 38.32886;
55.46814, 38.14255.
Some sites may use decoys to conceal removed equipment, but I find this unlikely. If decoys are used, they are probably deployed closer to the frontline.
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55.31037, 37.60879;
55.91933, 38.32886;
55.46814, 38.14255.
Some sites may use decoys to conceal removed equipment, but I find this unlikely. If decoys are used, they are probably deployed closer to the frontline.
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I often came across sites where one to three launchers had been removed. It's unclear whether these removals are permanent or temporary, possibly due to maintenance.
There is also an issue surrounding availability of up-to-date sattelite imagery for some sites.
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There is also an issue surrounding availability of up-to-date sattelite imagery for some sites.
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With this in mind, I'm confident that most of the air defense network around Moscow remains intact and is on hightened alert, as indicated by the erected launchers.
As others have noted, Russia's primary issue likely relates to deconflicting its airspace.
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As others have noted, Russia's primary issue likely relates to deconflicting its airspace.
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Typically, a site hosts one S-300/S-400 battalion.
Each battalion is typically equipped with at least two batteries (or fire units), sometimes more.
Each battery has a minimum of 4 launchers, a fire and control radar, a search and acquisition radar, and supporting vehicles.
The search and acquisition radar can be shared by several batteries.
Each battalion is typically equipped with at least two batteries (or fire units), sometimes more.
Each battery has a minimum of 4 launchers, a fire and control radar, a search and acquisition radar, and supporting vehicles.
The search and acquisition radar can be shared by several batteries.