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Ukraine Targets Russian S400 Air Defense System in Kursk with Precision ATACMS Strike.
On November 24, 2024, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that a missile strike had targeted a 64N6 "Tombstone" radar associated with an S-400 air defense system in the village of Bolshoe Zhirovo, located in the Kursk region. According to the statement, ATACMS ballistic missiles were used in this operation. This attack marks the first confirmed use of such missiles by Ukraine against targets within Russian borders.
Ukraine strikes 64N6 "Tombstone" Radar associated with an S-400 Air Defense System (Picture source: Ukrainian Social Media)
During the night of November 24, 2024, Ukrainian forces targeted a 64N6 "Tombstone" radar in the Kursk region, which was linked to an S-400 air defense complex. This precision strike, carried out using HIMARS multi-missile systems, also destroyed several transporter, erector, and launcher (TEL) vehicles of the S-400. The neutralization of these critical components significantly weakened Russian air defense capabilities in this strategic region, reducing their ability to detect and intercept Ukrainian aerial or missile strikes. The destruction of these key infrastructures highlights the effectiveness of HIMARS in targeted strikes against advanced systems like the S-400 and underscores Ukraine's strategy of disrupting Russian defenses in depth.
According to available reports, three ATACMS missiles were employed to strike a unit of the Russian 1490th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, affiliated with the 6th Army. This unit was reportedly operating in a ground-to-ground mode, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing losses among the population in frontline Ukrainian regions. At the time of the attack, the S-400 system was out of service due to maintenance work, rendering it particularly vulnerable. The strike reportedly resulted in the destruction of a 64N6 "Tombstone" radar and two missile launchers, along with significant human losses, including five officers—among them the division commander and chief of staff—and three employees of the Almaz-Antey company involved in maintenance.
The S-400 Triumf air defense system relies on an integrated network of specialized radars, each with a specific role to ensure effective target detection, tracking, and interception. The 91N6E "Big Bird" radar provides surveillance and early warning, capable of detecting targets at long range, up to 600 km, and transmitting data to other components. The 64N6 "Tombstone," a long-range surveillance radar, detects aerial targets up to 300 km and ballistic missiles up to 1,000 km, offering in-depth threat analysis. The 92N6E "Grave Stone" radar focuses on precise target tracking and missile guidance, essential for the terminal interception phase with a range of up to 400 km. The 96L6E mobile radar, specialized in high-altitude detection, complements the system by tracking targets in complex environments, including under electronic countermeasures. Finally, the 40V6M/40V6MD elevating masts enable optimal radar positioning to enhance range and effectiveness in challenging terrains. This coordination among radars gives the S-400 exceptional capabilities to detect, track, and engage multiple threats over long distances, including stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
The destruction of the 64N6 "Tombstone" radar, a critical component of the S-400 air defense system, has significant consequences for the battery’s effectiveness. Tasked with long-range detection—up to 300 km for aircraft and 1,000 km for ballistic missiles—this radar plays a key role in early threat identification and coordination with other system elements. Without it, the battery loses its ability to detect long-range targets, reducing reaction time and overall range. Furthermore, this loss disrupts the command chain and data transmission to tracking and guidance radars like the 92N6E "Grave Stone," limiting its capacity to engage targets effectively. The battery then becomes vulnerable to aerial strikes, unable to detect or intercept incoming threats. By disrupting the integrated functioning of the S-400, the destruction of the "Tombstone" radar paralyzes the air coverage it provides, exposing infrastructure and troops to further attacks and weakening regional defense overall.
By specifically targeting the 64N6 "Tombstone" radar, Ukraine aims not only to weaken Russian air defenses but also to facilitate its ballistic missile campaign using ATACMS. This radar plays a critical role in detecting and tracking long-range ballistic missiles. Its destruction significantly reduces Russia’s ability to intercept ATACMS, which already follow a rapid trajectory and steep approach angle, making interception inherently complex.
The S-400 Triumf, developed by Almaz-Antey, is a mobile air defense and anti-missile system considered one of the most advanced in the world. Capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, it can detect targets up to 600 km and engage them at ranges of up to 400 km, depending on the missile type. Its ability to simultaneously track 80 targets and guide 160 missiles makes it a cornerstone of Russian air defenses. However, this attack highlights the vulnerabilities of the system when maintenance work reduces its operational readiness.
This strike is part of a series of coordinated operations by Ukrainian armed forces to weaken Russian military capabilities. On October 25, a similar operation destroyed a Buk-M3 air defense system and the radar guidance station of a Buk-M2 system in the Luhansk region, temporarily occupied by Russia. A few days earlier, on October 21, another Buk-M3 system, valued at approximately $50 million, was also destroyed.
According to some Ukrainian sources, these weapons could also be used to defend occupied territory in the Kursk region against the ongoing Russian and North Korean counteroffensive, targeting military bases, infrastructure, and ammunition depots. While these missiles are unlikely to turn the tide of the war, they could complicate Russian logistics by forcing their forces to move equipment further from the front lines, thus stretching supply chains. This decision, though symbolic, aims to increase the cost of war for Russia and could boost Ukrainian morale, especially if strategic targets like the Kerch Bridge are hit. However, the limited availability of these missiles remains a significant constraint. Meanwhile, U.S. authorization appears to have encouraged Ukraine to use other long-range weapons, such as the Franco-British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which were fired on Russian territory for the first time on November 20, marking an escalation in the conflict.
The S-400 plays a crucial role in Russian air defense, particularly in protecting military bases, logistics centers, and deployed units. Its destruction significantly reduces Russia’s ability to intercept Ukrainian strikes, making it easier for Ukraine to target advancing forces, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure. The S-400 provides coverage for Russian air operations, allowing support aircraft and helicopters to operate with relative safety. By neutralizing these systems, Ukraine complicates Russian access to combat zones, reducing their ability to provide close air support to ground troops and disrupting counteroffensive coordination. The Russian and North Korean counteroffensive relies on supply chains to transport troops, equipment, and ammunition. By destroying the S-400, Ukraine can intensify strikes on these supply lines, targeting convoys and depots, thus limiting the enemy's ability to sustain a prolonged offensive.
The supply of ATACMS ballistic missiles to Ukraine reflects an evolving context marked by initial U.S. hesitations and a progressive shift in policy as the conflict developed. Initially, Washington was reluctant to deliver these weapons to Kyiv, fearing escalation with Russia. However, persistent Ukrainian requests and the need to counter Russian capabilities led to a change in approach.
In October 2023, the U.S. discreetly delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, enabling Kyiv to strike deep targets in occupied territory. This move, initially kept secret, was revealed in April 2024 when reports confirmed that deliveries had begun even before Congress officially approved a new military aid package. This strategy aimed to bolster Ukraine’s offensive capabilities as Russian forces continued their attacks on civilian and military infrastructure.
In November 2024, the U.S. authorized Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles against targets on Russian territory, marking a significant policy shift. For over a year, Ukraine had used ATACMS to strike Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territories, but their use within Russia itself had previously been prohibited. This reversal is reportedly driven by multiple factors, including the deployment of North Korean troops supporting Russian forces in the Kursk region, where Ukraine has held territory since August. Ukrainian officials had long argued that this restriction severely limited their strategic options, likening it to "fighting with one hand tied behind their back." Additionally, concerns over a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House—and uncertainty about the continuation of U.S. military aid—may have prompted President Biden to intensify support for Ukraine during the remaining time of his presidency. Strengthening Ukraine’s military position could prove crucial for gaining strategic leverage in potential peace negotiations.
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of hitting targets at a maximum range of 300 km, making it a strategic asset for Ukraine. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, it can be launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) or the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and costs approximately $1.5 million each. Powered by solid rocket propellant, ATACMS follow a ballistic trajectory, entering the atmosphere at high speed and steep angles, making them difficult to intercept. They can be equipped with two types of warheads: a cluster payload containing hundreds of submunitions, ideal for destroying lightly armored units or troop concentrations, albeit with the risk of leaving unexploded ordnance; and a single 225 kg explosive warhead designed to destroy hardened facilities. First used during the Gulf War in 1991, ATACMS are gradually being replaced by the Precision Strike Missile, which is faster and has a range of up to 500 km, though this new system is not intended for Ukraine.
Russian 64N6 Tombstone Long Range 3D Radar System (Picture source: Chuck Pfarrer)