Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published a recruiting video on its X social media profile, starring the crew of an S-300V1 surface-to-air missile system. The distinct features are its heavy chassis based on the T-80 tank, and an operational range of 100 kilometers.
The air defense team shared their experiences using this unique system and name some of the targets they had downed. Notably, the list includes not just cruise missiles launched from far away at Ukraine's critical infrastructure but also russian Su-series tactical aircraft that were dropping guided bombs on Ukrainian positions and near-frontline cities. They didn't specify, though, if they scored those kills operating the S-300V1 specifically.
Read more: First Detailed Video of Ukraine Using S-200 Missile, Credited For Tu-22M3, A-50 Downings
The S-300V1 is powerful air defense system capable of destroying various types of missiles. But without people, it’s just metal.The heroes of this story — Serhii and Oleksandr — are part of the combat crew that protects Ukraine’s skies day and night. They have shot down enemy… pic.twitter.com/XZS7mlf6Fz — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 11, 2025
Defense Express briefly reminds the chronology of recent downings: on August 14, 2024 and February 18, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force announced successful interceptions and destruction of russian Su-34 fighters, without disclosing the details. Also, on October 12, 2024, the russian sources reported their Aerospace Forces had lost a Su-34 on a guided bomb delivery mission. The russians didn't say anything about the circumstances either.
The video above is one of the very few appearances of the S-300V1 system in Ukrainian forces, especially from official sources. The only other time was dated February 2025, in a different video from the Ukrainian Air Force. It was noticed by The War Zone journalists who explained that mounting the system on a tracked chassis with increased cross-country ability was an adaptation this weapon needed to cover mobile ground forces units.
S-300V1 in service with the Ukrainian Air Force, February 2021 / Open-source archive photo
However, a more significant difference is the type of anti-aircraft missile employed by the S-300V1: one launcher can take two 9M82 or four 9M83 missiles, both with the engagement range of up to 100 kilometers. Just like the system itself, these missiles are in short supply, so Ukraine will need to replace S-300V1 with modern Western systems in due time.
Read more: Germany May Supply the Taurus Missiles to Ukraine If russia Rejects Ceasefire, Keeping All Operational Details Under Wraps
