Russia Announces Combat Deployment of First S-500 SAM Regiment

Russia said the first regiment equipped with the S-500 Prometheus air defense system has entered combat duty.

Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced this, Russian propaganda media reported.

The deployment is expected to expand Russia’s strategic missile defense capabilities.

“The first regiment equipped with the unique S-500 air defense missile system, capable of engaging targets in near space, has entered combat duty,” Belousov said. He did not provide further details. It remains unclear whether the regiment has any combat experience.

Russia first announced the formation of a new unit equipped with the S-500 system in December 2024.

S-500

The S-500 is a long-running Russian project, with development beginning in 2002. The system was formally accepted into service in 2021.

Russian officials say the system is designed to intercept medium-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight.

It is also intended to engage airborne command posts, aircraft carrying air defense missiles, and low-orbit satellites.

A key focus of development was the integration of the S-500 system and its 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 missiles with the stationary A-135 Amur missile defense system used to protect Moscow against ballistic missile threats.

The system’s precise specifications are not publicly known. Western military analysts have said that, if a high level of integration is achieved, the 77N6-N interceptors could engage ballistic targets at altitudes and ranges of about 100 kilometers.

One feature cited for this class of missile is its reported speed of about 5,500 meters per second. According to unconfirmed reports, the missile reaches its maximum speed within 4 to 5 seconds.

Some S-500 test launches were reported in the summer of 2021 at the Kapustin Yar test range. During the first deliveries that year, the Russian military received individual elements of the system, though officials did not specify which components were supplied.