S-400: Ukraine exposing weaknesses in Russia's most advanced surface-to-air missile system

Ukraine is exposing weaknesses in the S-400, Russia's premier advanced surface-to-air missile system.

The S-400 Triumf, which has the Nato codename SA-21 Growler, is a mobile surface-to-air missile system (SAM) that is capable of engaging 36 targets simultaneously.

This includes all types of aircraft from reconnaissance, strategic and tactical through to medium-range ballistic missiles.

Russia's most advanced long-range defence system has an operational range of up to 400 kilometres and a surveillance range of up to 600 kilometres.

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UK intelligence recently reported Ukraine had probably destroyed at least four Russian long-range air defence systems.

Amongst those destroyed were three of Russia's prized S-400 Triumf missile systems, which were destroyed in the Luhansk region, according to Russian media reports.

The Ministry of Defence intelligence update said: "The recent losses highlight that Russia's integrated air defence system continues to struggle against modern precision-strike weapons and will highly likely increase the already significant strain on remaining systems and operators.

"There is a realistic possibility that as Russia replaces the destroyed systems in Ukraine it will weaken its air defences in other operational areas."