Ukraine Takes Out 92N6 Long Range Radar From S-400 Air Defence System on Belgorod Frontlines

<p >The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been reported to have launched a successful strike on an 92N6 detection radar from a <a href=" target="_blank">Russian S-400</a> long range surface to air missile system near the frontlines near the city of Belgorod in Russia’s Kursk region. Benefitting from support from NATO advisors and access to a <a href=" target="_blank">vast Western satellite network</a> providing weapons guidance and targeting data, Ukrainian forces have <a href=" target="_blank">successfully targeted</a> components of Russian S-400 systems multiple times since the outbreak of full scale hostilities between the two countries in February 2022. Although the S-400 is capable of intercepting all kinds of weapons in the Ukrainian arsenal, not all systems are operational at all times of day, which provides windows to attack when personnel are resting or systems are refuelling. The very large quantities of tactical ballistic and cruise missiles in Ukraine’s arsenal, which is by far the most formidable in Europe, has allowed it to sustain a high intensity of attacks, meaning that although Russian forces had continued to reportedly intercept or electronically deflect the vast majority of strikes, a significant number can still get through. The American ATACMS ballistic missile has reportedly proven particularly effective for precision strikes on high value Russian targets, with these supplied to Ukraine from September 2023.</p><p ><img src=" title="Surface to Air Missile Batteries From Russian S-400 System"></p><p >The 92N6 is one of multiple radars used by the S-400 system, with different sensors operating in complementary wavebands to provide maximum situational awareness. The radar is relied on for target acquisition and tracking at long ranges, and can both provide real time data to command centres and guide missiles to their targets. It is prized for its very long tracking range of up to 600 kilometres against ballistic missiles and large aircraft. 92N6 radars are relied on not only by S-400 systems, but also be surrounding networks of shorter ranged air defence assets such as BuK-M3 and S-350 systems, as each S-400 is usually depended on to share data with them. Ukrainian forces have consistently <a href=" target="_blank">prioritised the targeting </a>of Russian long range radar and air defence systems throughout the war, with these assets being among the most high value assets deployed by Russian forces near the frontlines. </p><p >While the S-400 is in production on a <a href=" target="_blank">far larger scale</a> than any comparable system fielded abroad, the attrition suffered in the arsenal is still highly beneficial to Ukraine’s strategic partners in NATO, which have escalated deployments of advanced combat aircraft, in particular <a href=" target="_blank">F-35 stealth fighters</a>, around Russia’s borders to place further pressure on its air defences. Russia has<a href=" > combat tested</a> S-400s extensively in the Ukrainian theatre, including for <a href=" >very long range engagements</a> against targets up to 400 kilometres away using targeting data provided by supporting aircraft.</p>