Ukraine demonstrates S-200 launches destroying Russian A-50 and Tu-22M3
Photo: DIU showed S-200 launches that destroyed A-50 and Tu-22M3 (screenshot)
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine for the first time officially demonstrated the use of the 5V28 anti-aircraft missile from the S-200 anti-aircraft missile system, Defense Express reports.
Video
Ukrainian intelligence showed footage of the defeat of Russian forces by the modernized S-200 missile system. The video shows the preparation of the 5V28 anti-aircraft missile and the moment of launch.
The new video also shows modern unmanned aerial vehicles and the consequences of the destruction of the Russian Engels base, overpasses, and oil bases.
What Defense Express writes
This is the first time that Ukraine has officially shown the use of the 5V28 anti-aircraft missile from the S-200 anti-aircraft missile system. It took 2 years since its first known use: in July 2023, a then-unknown missile flew over Taganrog.
And last year, it destroyed Russian A-50 long-range reconnaissance aircraft and a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, which was shot down at a record-breaking range of 308 km on April 19, 2024.
At the same time, the agency's analysts point out that the footage shows that these missiles were launched from these locations more than once, as evidenced by the traces of jet engines on the ground. The old launch positions were used to launch these missiles.
According to them, several important points in the video explain some aspects of the real resurrection of elements of the Soviet air defense system of the 60s. For example, a standard 5P72V stationary launcher was used for the launch, and not, as previously thought, a newly developed mobile version.
Moreover, the footage shows that these missiles were launched from these locations more than once, as evidenced by the traces of jet engines on the ground. At the same time, the old launch positions were used to launch these missiles, the experts write.
According to Defense Express, all this shows is how risky these operations were. After all, the launcher is not mobile at all, and there is simply no way to get out of the way. And the preparation for the launch is carried out directly at this launch site, during which the missile is refueled with a rather toxic liquid fuel that requires the use of a chemical protection suit.
The 5V28 missile itself has not undergone any external changes. However, all possible changes could affect the electronics. Possible options include the use of a different target illumination radar for the standard semi-active homing head, or the installation of a new active radar homing head, or, as an option, a passive one, in case the A-50 is shot down.
Elimination of A-50 and Tu-22M3
On January 14, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian A-50 over the Sea of Azov.
Then, on February 23, another A-50 was shot down over the Sea of Azov. Intelligence sources said that the A-50U is a new, modernized version of the aircraft, and its cost is about $350 million.
In addition, on March 9, drones attacked an aircraft factory in Taganrog, damaging a hangar with an A-50 aircraft.
And during the enemy's massive attack, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed a Russian TU-22M3 bomber, 15 of 22 missiles, and 14 Shahed drones.
