Huge Setback for Putin: Russia’s ₹11,291 Crore Missile System Destroyed

Ukrainian forces have reportedly scored a significant battlefield victory by destroying one of Russia’s most advanced surface-to-air missile systems, the S-350 Vityaz. This development comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia, aimed at resolving the three-year-long conflict.

The S-350 air defense system, selectively deployed in the war, was allegedly taken down in Ukraine’s Donetsk region—a key battleground experiencing intense fighting for months. The Black Forest Brigade, an artillery reconnaissance unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, released footage showcasing the strike.

Ukrainian Forces Target S-350 Vityaz

According to the brigade’s official statement, their reconnaissance troops successfully identified and eliminated the Russian S-350 Vityaz medium- and short-range missile system. Military analysts and Ukrainian bloggers speculate that the attack was carried out using a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), though Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not confirmed the loss.

First introduced in 2020 at an estimated cost of over $130 million, the S-350 Vityaz is designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and tactical ballistic missiles with a range of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles).

Not the First Strike on S-350?

This isn’t Ukraine’s first claim of damaging or destroying an S-350 system. In December 2023, reports emerged of a similar attack using a First-Person-View (FPV) drone, although those claims remained unverified.

The latest destruction of an S-350 Vityaz represents a considerable setback for Russia, as the system is among its new-generation air defense assets. While Moscow has not disclosed the exact number of these systems in its arsenal, military experts believe only a limited number have been produced.

The S-350’s Role in the War

Russia has been utilizing the S-350 extensively throughout the conflict. The system first drew attention in August 2022 when it was spotted in an official Russian Ministry of Defense video. The footage, showcasing Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft conducting air support missions, also revealed the S-350 stationed at the Taganrog Air Base near Ukraine—an observation that did not go unnoticed by military analysts.

Since early 2024, Russia has deployed the system closer to Ukrainian frontlines, posing a significant challenge to Ukrainian air operations. However, its deployment has not been without mishaps. In February last year, an S-350 unit reportedly drove into an unmarked Russian minefield in the Luhansk region, resulting in damage to the system.

Russia Faces Growing Challenges

With defense production under strain and Western sanctions limiting access to crucial components, Russia has struggled to maintain its pre-war pace of military manufacturing. The loss of high-tech systems like the S-350 Vityaz further exacerbates Moscow’s challenges in replenishing its advanced weaponry.

Exporting the S-350 Vityaz

Russia has been actively promoting the S-350 Vityaz for export, alongside its battlefield deployment. The system was showcased at Aero India 2023, where Alexander Mikhailov, head of the Military-Political Analysis Bureau, emphasized its precision and cost-effectiveness compared to the U.S.-made Patriot system. While the Patriot has been credited with intercepting Russian hypersonic missiles and Su-34 jets, Mikhailov claimed that the Vityaz is faster and more effective against low-flying targets.

He further asserted that while the Patriot struggles to intercept threats below 100 meters, the Vityaz can eliminate targets as low as 10 meters. According to its manufacturers, the S-350 carries more missiles, offers superior defense range, and features an advanced radar system resistant to jamming, enabling round-the-clock threat detection.

To attract buyers, Russia has exhibited the S-350 Vityaz at multiple defense expos, including the Zhuhai Air Show in China in November 2024. However, the recent destruction of an S-350 launcher in Ukraine casts doubt on its reliability and could damage its global reputation.