Ukrainian forces may have used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russia’s S-500 air-defense system, according to Ukrainian reports. The alleged attack reportedly damaged a radar component of the S-500 Prometheus in Crimea.
On Sunday, Ukraine is believed to have launched ATACMS ballistic missiles at a Russian radar station in occupied Crimea, causing civilian casualties. Despite the deployment of Russia’s advanced S-500 Prometheus air defense system, the U.S.-made missiles were not intercepted. Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko reported that the S-500 was hit by ATACMS cluster missiles, which cost around $600 million each, though he did not specify the exact timing or location of the strike.
The Ukrainian military channel TIVAZ claimed on Telegram that the ATACMS strike targeted the NIP-16 Space Tracking and Deep Space Communications Center, used by Russia for missile operations against Ukraine. These claims quickly gained traction on social media, with several pro-Ukrainian military bloggers celebrating the supposed strike on Russia’s premier air defense system.
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), had previously indicated that Russia had placed parts of the S-500 system in annexed Crimea. Analysts believe Russia could have up to four S-500 systems, capable of targeting ballistic and aerodynamic threats.Â
These developments follow a recent ATACMS missile strike on Sevastopol, Crimea, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Some Ukrainian sources claimed the ATACMS had previously overcome the S-500 system during that incident.
Military experts suggest that the S-500 deployment in Crimea is intended to protect critical infrastructure such as the Kerch Bridge, which has been a repeated target for Ukrainian forces.Â
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