Originally Posted by
Uberteknik
S500 is designed to supplement the S400 system and shares many common components. It extends the range covered out to a claimed 600Km and, according to the marketing, can engage both hypersonic and ballistic missiles as well as satellites, cruise missiles and aircraft etc.
The claimed deployment to Crimea is likely a response to the pledges of F16 entering the battlespace to put pressure on supplier governments including the US and also psychological pressure on Ukraine cambatants. In other words it is the same tactic of performance uncertainty to force calculation onto the side of caution, together with adding internal pressure to complicate and potentially delay training and donations of F16's from and European governments and the US permissions in the run up to the elections.
Then there is the issue of how many S500's Russia actually has. Probably less than a handfull. The system is undoubtedly expensive and like the su57 has no combat experience. Knowing that the S500 may be in theatre will make it a prime target for elimination.
Denys Davidov said three battalions of three systems per battalion and (probably ) eight launchers per system. He didn't know if they would send one battalion or all three to Crimea.