Russia has likely lost at least four long range surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers to Ukrainian strikes over the last week. On October 26, 2023, russian media reported that three russian S-400 launchers had been destroyed in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian sources reported additional russian air defense losses in Crimea, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Russia has long prioritised ample, high-tech, long range SAM systems as a key component of its military strategy.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Reports on russia’s Deployment of Small One-Way-Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The recent losses highlight that russia's Integrated Air Defense 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 defenses in other operational areas.
Read more: Russian General Teplinsky Takes Personal Command of Dnipro Forces as Fighting Escalates
