Russian Baltic Fleet’s air defense units repel enemy air strike during drills

KALININGRAD, April 3. /TASS/. Combat teams of S-300 and S-400 air defense units of Russia’s Baltic Fleet successfully repelled a notional enemy’s massive air strike in tactical drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.

During the drills, the notional enemy delivered an air strike with a density of up to seven targets per minute. Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation were scrambled to thwart the cruise missiles’ attack. The fighter jets destroyed all the designated targets using air-launched weapons, the press office said.

"From the ground, the notional enemy’s aircraft were destroyed by a salvo of missiles fired by S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems: the combat teams delivered electronic strikes against the air targets," the press office said.

Su-30SM fighter-bombers, Su-24 frontline bombers and An-26 military transport planes simulated the enemy air attacks. Under the drills’ scenario, the actions of the air defense combat teams were complicated by electronic countermeasures to create a jamming environment, the Fleet’s press office said.

Overall, the drills involved more than 10 aircraft, S-300 and S-400 battalions and Baltic Fleet warships.

The crews of warships performing assignments at sea training ranges and involved in air defense missions at the base also practiced electronic launches against air targets, the press office said.

The S-400 Triumf is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground objectives.

The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.

The S-300 is a surface-to-air missile system capable of destroying modern and cutting-edge aircraft, including planes using stealth technology, as well as medium-range ballistic missiles, tactical and cruise missiles, and also radar surveillance and guidance aircraft, reconnaissance and strike complexes.