The Russians mistakenly destroyed their own S-300 anti-aircraft missile system with the Lancet drone - it was designed to lure AGM-88 HARM missiles
Several months ago, Russian state media published a story about the destruction of the radar of the Ukrainian SAM-300 air defense system. It turned out that in fact things were a little different.
Here's What We Know
The story said that the Russian military, using a Lancet kamikaze drone, attacked and successfully destroyed the S-300PS. A few days after that, it was revealed that it was a Russian SAM. Now there is a little more information about this event.
Many may remember footage of a Russian Lancet drone striking a 5N63S engagement radar of the S-300PS - as it turned out, it hit a radar that was put there by Russian forces.
- ???????? Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) December 18, 2022
For the sake of transparency we reconstructed the story behind these S-300 batteries in Kherson Oblast???? pic.twitter.com/aqMSQSZwPw
It was speculated that the Russians could use their anti-aircraft missile system as a temporary solution in the Kherson region amid a shortage of air defenses. The second hypothesis was that the S-300 was operating in air-to-ground mode to strike at neighboring settlements that were under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Both versions are incorrect. Judging by the pictures, the elements of the anti-aircraft missile system were in a terrible condition. In addition, the S-300 was missing some important parts. And it is not clear why it is necessary to take the radar, if it is to strike ground targets.
To sum up, the only viable explanation for the presence of these vehicles is that they were brought by the RF to be used as decoys to make the AFU waste valuable precision ammunition.
- ???????? Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) December 18, 2022
However it worked on the Russians too - they striked their own decoys with Lancet drones twice. pic.twitter.com/iZgfMresTx
The most adequate explanation is that the Russians brought the S-300 to be used as a mock-up to lure in expensive munitions. For example, the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles. But things didn't go according to plan, and the Russians hit their own decoys twice with Lancet barrage munitions. It happens.
Source: @UAWeapons
