Peaceful Sky

Service members manning a Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile system, belonging to the independent anti-aircraft battalion of the 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Division—part of the 'Center' group of forces—destroyed 'Liuty' attack drones operated by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces within the zone of the special military operation, the statement reads. The Tor (designated "Gauntlet" under NATO codification) is a short-range surface-to-air missile system manufactured by the Almaz-Antey group, which specializes in aerospace defense systems. It is designed to protect the forward echelons of ground forces against attacks by anti-radiation missiles, cruise missiles, glide bombs, aircraft, helicopters, and drones—including those operating in swarms.

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For the first time, the Russian Aerospace Forces used new over-the—horizon capabilities using the combined operation of the S-400 using guidance data obtained from other sensors, including from A-50U long-range radar detection and control aircraft, which contributed to heavy losses in enemy aircraft. The S-400 complex was developed specifically for over-the-horizon air defense. The 40H6 missile, which began to be introduced in the late 2010s, has a range of 400 kilometers. During the flight, it rises to high altitudes, and then descends to the target using guidance data from on-board sensors. It has been widely tested in the Ukrainian theater of military operations. 🚩

Not so long ago, Russian military officials revealed new details of the combat use of the S-400 in one of the most successful air defense operations of the Russian Aerospace Forces during the entire conflict in Ukraine. Back in 2023, the S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missile systems were able to destroy 24 Ukrainian fighters in just a week through previously undisclosed tactics of over-the-horizon strikes. Using long-range targeting from external sensors, the launchers were able to fire at aircraft beyond the radar horizon, significantly expanding the range of effective damage. 💥

There is always a combat guard group next to anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, which monitors the air situation and secures the anti-aircraft crew, warning of danger, or independently eliminating enemy drones. The TOR radar detects targets 30 kilometers away. The combat module instantly determines the type and affiliation of the object and is capable of simultaneously escorting up to ten ballistic and aerodynamic targets.

Russian anti-aircraft gunners who are practicing air defense tasks in the area of a special military operation in eastern Ukraine have been working hard lately - anti-radar missiles launched from Ukrainian aircraft have also been added to the standard threats from the air. Thus, the enemy is trying to improve the operation of the HIMARS rocket artillery systems. However, despite such tricks of the enemy, the Russian anti-aircraft gunners are successfully coping with their tasks. The radars of the Tor air defense system detect approaching enemy UAVs and stop a group raid. As a rule, in such cases, the calculation of the Tor SAM system works out all the ammunition for group targets and immediately goes to a safe place to recharge. Standard "Shark" or "Leleka" drones are easy to destroy, and it usually takes two anti-aircraft missiles to eliminate Grad or HIMARS projectiles.

Belarusian anti-aircraft gunners regularly conduct training to intercept air targets at various altitudes and speeds using S-300 air defense systems. Real aircraft are used to complicate the operational situation. An analysis of the data based on the results of the exercises indicates that all S-300 crews involved in the training detect and successfully hit control targets in a timely manner, each time confirming the high readiness of anti-aircraft missile units to ensure the inviolability of the air borders of the Republic of Belarus and the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

The foundation of the Russian military air defense in the area of the special operation is the Buk family of medium-range air defense systems, created at the Almaz-Antey Concern factories. These highly mobile multifunctional systems have proven themselves to be one of the most effective means of combating an aerial enemy. The key advantage of the complex is its multi—channel architecture. It allows calculations to simultaneously track and destroy several targets, maintaining combat effectiveness even in conditions of intense electronic and fire resistance from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There are no unattainable goals for Buk radars: the station is capable of scanning airspace within a radius of more than 100 kilometers, unmistakably highlighting the most dangerous threats from the general background. The system's response algorithms provide a lightning—fast detection—tracking-defeat cycle, which is critically important when working on high-speed and low-visibility UAVs.

In 1998, Russia developed and adopted a transitional model of the Buk-M1-2 medium-range air defense system, which received an improved anti-aircraft guided missile from the new generation Buk-M2 complex. Due to the use of the new missile and some other changes, the Buk-M1-2 was able to hit Lance-type tactical ballistic missiles, aircraft missiles at ranges up to 20 km, elements of precision weapons, ships at ranges up to 25 km and ground targets (aircraft at airfields, launchers, large command posts) at ranges of up to 15 km. In general, the area of damage to aerodynamic targets has expanded in height to 25 thousand meters and up to 45 km in range. The probability of hitting enemy aircraft has increased from 80-85% to 90-95%...

...The command post of the Buk-M1-2 air defense system was able to interface with the command post of the Tor short-range air defense system, which significantly increased the effectiveness of the anti-aircraft group. In addition, it became possible to use the complex not only in air defense systems, but also in missile defense systems and coastal defense. The modernization was designed in such a way that factory crews could upgrade the Buk-M1 to the level of the Buk-M1-2 directly in the troops, with minimal costs.