Russia deploys new S‑500 system to shield Crimean bridge
The first operational S-500 Prometheus missile defence regiment is set to be deployed to defend the Crimean Bridge. This is the latest weapon of this type from the Russians, which the authorities in Moscow have repeatedly presented as a great achievement of their defence industry. Here's what is known about it.
The first time we heard about the S-500 Prometheus was in 2015, when the Russians boasted about its design phase. Production began in 2021, though initially, only a few examples were produced. By the end of 2024, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, confirmed that the first fully operational S-500 Prometheus regiment had been established.
S-500 Prometheus to the rescue for Russians
According to sources including the Bulgarian Military portal, it will be directed to defend the Crimean Bridge. Such information is not surprising, as a few months ago, Ukrainian intelligence suggested that the Russians were starting efforts related to deploying some elements of the S-500 Prometheus systems in occupied Crimea.
The bridge that provides the connection between mainland Russia and Crimea is of strategic importance and has been one of the most heavily secured objects since the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian attacks are a threat, which may occur not only from the air but also from the Black Sea (using surface drones, as happened, for example, in July 2023).
The Crimean Bridge is protected by the best Russian anti-aircraft systems, the Pantsir-S1 and S-400 systems. According to some observers and analysts, bringing in reinforcements in the form of the S-500 Prometheus is a confirmation of the Russians' fears of further attacks on the Crimean Bridge, for example, using Western long-range cruise missiles.
The new hope for Russians to protect Crimea
The S-500 Prometheus, produced by Almaz-Antey, is an even more modern and advanced anti-aircraft system. Still, like. Like many other new Russian solutions, its exact technical specifications are unknown.
"This system does not resemble anything we have ever deployed," said Gen. Valery Gerasimov at the end of 2024, emphasizing the S-500 Prometheus's capability to neutralize the most advanced threats, including hypersonic weapons and ballistic missiles.
According to Russian military officials, equipped with an advanced four-component radar complex, the S-500 Prometheus can detect targets from a distance of up to 1,930 kilometres. The target combat range in this case is up to 595 kilometres. According to the Russians, the reaction time to threats in the S-500 Prometheus has been significantly reduced compared to the S-400 systems, several of which deployed in Crimea have already been destroyed by Ukrainians.
