Prometheus that never took off and other valuable assets the Russian military lost to Ukrainian attacks over July

In July, the Ukrainian Defense Forces dealt a powerful blow to Russia’s warfighting capabilities. Command centers, weapons warehouses, combat vehicles, equipment and weapons installations were targeted, including a multiplicity of high-valued systems Russia boasted for years to be worldwide unique in terms of some of performance capabilities. The operations carried out by our warriors in the war zone and deep behind enemy lines revealed the vulnerability of even the most secured military facilities in Russia. These strikes have significant implications, not only for Russia’s warfighting potential but also its global posture. Not only Moscow is losing millions of dollars worth of military assets but, more critically, losing the trust from potential international customers. Below is a brief overview of successful attacks on Russia’s most valuable assets conducted by Ukrainian forces in July.

On top of the list is S-500 Prometheus, the latest-generation long-range surface-to-air missile system Russia claims to be unique among its competitors worldwide. The Prometheus was attacked and hit while on combat duty in Russia’s Bryansk region.

S-500 Prometheus surface-to-air missile system

By way of reminder, the S-500 Prometheus, designed to intercept a variety of advanced threats, including hypersonic weapons, ballistic missiles, and even satellites in low Earth orbit, is intended to become a key component of Russia’s integrated air defense network, serving as an external mobile defense layer. But the Prometheus itself had fallen victim to a precision missile strike. The S-500 system is estimated to cost over USD 1 billion. Its destruction is a devastating financial and reputational blow for Russian defense industry.

Project 22160-class Vasily Bykov patrol ship

Off the coast of currently Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Magura V5 kamikaze sea drones operated by the Defense Intelligence destroyed one of Russia’s new Project 22160 Vasily Bykov patrol ships. Valued at approx. USD 65 million, the 94-meter-long ship can carry Kalibr-class cruise missiles among other weapons and features a helicopter flight deck. The ship sustained critical damage from the Ukrainian attack that caused it to sink. It is noteworthy that this same boat was used against the Ukrainian armed forces during an attack on Snake Island alongside the infamous guided missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, on 24 February 2022, on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit and damaged an air defense search radar, part of the S-400 Triumph SAM system that was deployed outside of Moscow. The radar is designed to search, detect and track down incoming threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The S-400 radar can track a multiplicity of targets simultaneously, providing an interface with other control systems and missiles. Its range capability is stated at up to 400 km. The air defense search radar, which is the most expensive element of the S-400 Triumph system, is valued at USD 625 million. The attack caused temporary gaps in search capabilities of the air defense network protecting the skies over the Moscow region.

Nebo-M, part of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system

In Russia’s Belgorod region, Ukrainian drones hit one more S-300P surface-to-air missile system and a new Nebo-M radar worth in excess of USD 300 million both. The Nebo-M radar is able to pick up targets from up to 600 kilometers away. One S-300P SAM system comes with a price tag of around USD 250 million.

Niobiy-SV radar system

The enemy suffered a new serious loss in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian special forces from the Defense Intelligence (HUR) destroyed a network of enemy air defense assets, including Podlet, Niobiy-SV, P-18 radars and two S-300V SAM launchers valued in total at USD 125–135 million.

Repellent-1 electronic warfare system

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the Russian “drone killer” Repellent-1 failed the test with a Ukrainian FPV drone. The electronic warfare system, which was supposed to intercept the drone, itself became its victim and turned into a pile of charred scrap of metal.

Su-34 fighter bomber

Also in July, a Ukrainian drone attack hit the Morozovsk military air base outside of the southern Russian city of Rostov where Su-34 fighter-bombers are stationed. At least three Su-34 aircraft valued at USD 36-50 million each had sustained damage in the aftermath of the overnight attack. The overall loss to the enemy is estimated at USD 108 to 150 million, plus the cost of damaged infrastructure and ammunition load. The successful attack once again revealed the vulnerability of enemy’s assets located deep inside Russia.

TOS-1A Solntsepyok self-propelled heavy flamethrower system

In July, Ukrainian forces carried out multiple attacks targeting Russia’s heavy weapons systems, TOS-1A Solntsepek self-propelled flamethrower and 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled mortar among them.

Bohdan Bulava, Ivan Stupak

Images via publicly available Internet sources