Forbes: ATACMS Are Blowing Russian S-400 In Crimea

More serious attacks are coming.

Ukraine is actively using the ATACMS missiles to destroy Russian facilities in temporarily occupied Crimea. Including enemy S-400 systems.

Forbes reported. For example, in mid-May, the Ukrainian military fired a powerful volley of 10 American-made missiles at the Russian Belbek base near Sevastopol in occupied Crimea. The strike caused considerable damage to the occupiers – photos from the ground confirmed that the radar and two launchers of the S-400 anti-aircraft systems were destroyed. It was reported that the missiles also damaged four military aircraft at a nearby military air base.

Not surprisingly, the Russians quickly replaced the destroyed the S-400 system, but not so long ago Ukraine hit the S-400 systems in Belbek. Unidentified munitions – probably the same M39A1 ATACMS, also hit two other air defence systems nearby: another S-400 and a less long-range S-300.

"At least 10 ATACMS missiles were used during the strike, and the Russian air defence system could not intercept any of them," the Ukrainian Center for Defence Strategies reported.

It was noted that two radars were destroyed – one each of the S-300 and S-400 systems. On the third radar, the information was clarified.

Belbek becomes a depletion trap for the best air defence system of the Russian Airspace Forces. Ukraine destroys new missile systems about as fast as they can be deployed, the newspaper writes. The Russians have already lost two S-400 command posts, four radars and 16 launchers, which can be confirmed by Oryx analysts.

"In all, it’s possible Ukrainian missile raids have destroyed parts of four or five S-400 batteries. Ironically, the S-400s were designed as interceptor missiles, but they obviously don't work. (...) The Russian Aerospace Forces have more than 50 units of the S-400 systems. But batteries are useless for Russia's military actions in Ukraine if they cannot withstand Ukrainian missile strikes. The more S-400 the Russians deploy in Ukraine, the more S-400 they are likely to lose," Forbes emphasizes.

Some Russian observers afraid that much more serious attacks are coming. If the Ukrainians follow the American strike doctrine, then first they strike the air defence systems. "Aviation based on the F-16, under the wings of which there is a wide range of ammunition will join the game," said one of the Russian bloggers.

“The first F-16s – from Denmark – are due to arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks. Do not be surprised if fighters quickly begin to strike at Russian bases in Crimea. Bases, whose air defense is constantly weakening under the heavy blows of ATACMS missiles," the publication summarizes.