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S-400
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S-400

Russian long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Almaz-Antey, in service since 2007.

Reports of the 10–11 July 2026 Russian barrage included S-400 missiles alongside Iskander-M missiles in a combined total of six. The air-defence system also appears in reporting on attacks against ground targets.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can Russia's front-line air defence survive systematic Ukrainian strikes on its S-400 network?

Timeline for S-400

#30 22 Oct

Fired ballistic missiles at Ukraine on the night to 22 October

Russia-Ukraine War 2026: Russian jet drones reach half of salvoes
#23 11 Jul
View full timeline →

Background

S-400 Triumf is a Russian mobile surface-to-air missile system. It combines surveillance and engagement radars, command equipment, launchers and missiles. NATO calls it SA-21 Growler. Its principal task is air defence: finding airborne targets and directing interceptors towards them. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies describes it as a successor to the S-200 and S-300 systems, entering service in 2007. CSIS system profile

The name covers a system with several components and missile options. CSIS notes that its early equipment shared features with the S-300 family. The radar, launcher and interceptor each perform a different part of an engagement; a battery's composition therefore matters when describing the equipment.

Key Issues
Missile operations

S-400 missiles appear in ground attacks

The 10–11 July 2026 barrage report named S-400 missiles among the weapons Russia fired at Ukraine. Its six-missile figure combined S-400 and Iskander-M missiles, so it gives no separate S-400 total. For a system developed for air defence, the reported ground-attack use extends its role beyond intercepting aircraft and missiles.

S-400 equipment also appeared among Ukrainian targets in March 2026. Reporting described strikes against more than 20 air-defence systems across several types, including S-300, Buk, Tor and Pantsir. That mixed tally cannot be read as 20 destroyed S-400 systems.

Common Questions

Reference

Who makes the S-400?
The Russian state air defence group Almaz-Antey developed the S-400. Its Granit enterprise in Sevastopol, which repairs S-400 and S-300 systems, was hit by Ukrainian drones on 19 March 2026.Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defence
What is the S-400 missile system?
The S-400 Triumf is Russia's long-range surface-to-air missile system, developed by Almaz-Antey and on combat duty since August 2007. Its 40N6 missile has a purported range of 400 km.Source: Wikipedia
Why did the US sanction Turkey but not India over the S-400?
Washington sanctioned Turkey's defence procurement agency in December 2020 under the 2017 CAATSA law but chose not to sanction India for the same system, so the penalty applied only where the president decided it should.Source: Lowdown
Which countries bought the S-400?
China, India and Turkey. Turkey received its first delivery in July 2019 and India its first squadron in December 2021.Source: Wikipedia
Why did Ukraine strike the Granit facility in Sevastopol?
Granit, part of Almaz-Antey, is the repair base for S-400 and S-300 systems. Destroying it on 19 March 2026 was designed to sever the logistics chain that restores damaged air defence launchers, compounding battlefield losses.Source: Ukrainian MoD
Has Ukraine destroyed S-400 launchers?
Ukraine says yes. Between 1 and 15 March 2026 it struck more than 20 Russian air defence targets, including S-400 launchers, across Crimea, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defence
How many S-400 systems has Ukraine destroyed?
Between 1 and 15 March 2026 alone, Ukrainian forces struck over 20 Russian air defence targets including S-400 launchers across Crimea, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, alongside eight radar types.Source: Ukrainian MoD
How does the S-400 compare to the Patriot missile system?
The S-400 has a longer stated engagement range (400 km vs Patriot's 160 km) but has suffered significant attrition in Ukraine. The Patriot has performed well in Ukrainian service; the S-400's inability to be rapidly replenished has emerged as a key weakness.Source: open-source analysis
Source Material

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.