Ukraine's ATACMS Strike Destroys Russian S-400 in Kursk
At night, on November 23, 2024, the Ukrainian military carried out a well-planned attack that destroyed a Russian S-400 air defense system in Bolshoe Zhirovo, Kursk Oblast. The action showcased Ukraine’s changed long-range precision strike capability, employing U.S.-donated ATACMS missiles to take out a high-priority asset deep in Russian territory. The destruction of the Russian S-400 in Kursk not just inflicted a technical defeat on Russian military pride but also sent a message of change in battlefield dynamics.
Shadow’s Mission: Following the Russian S-400 in Kursk
“Shadow,” a Ukrainian drone pilot, provided an exclusive first-hand report to Defensenewstoday.info, detailing his most significant contribution to the Kursk mission. Having been a seasoned reconnaissance expert, Shadow had verified the location of the Russian S-400 system days before the attack. His drone reconnaissance had detected Almaz-Antey engineers on the ground trying to activate the system, which had previously been temporarily shut down.
For Shadow, the task was not his first high-risk mission, but it was certainly the most significant. The Russian S-400 in Kursk posed a grave threat, and its elimination was a matter of tactical necessity. Shadow’s drone verified and tracked the location’s activity in real time, using satellite data from Ukraine to provide the initial location.
Preparation Under Cover: 80 Kilometres from the Target
Operating from an impromptu forest camp 80 kilometers away from the Russian S-400 at Kursk, the Ukrainian forces had solid cover. Some of the members of the team smoked at the rear of trees to stay under cover, while others readied drones and pored over strike data. Shadow vividly remembers the tension, recalling how the silence of the night amplified even the sound of the wind.
Shadow kept a close watch on the radar unit, launch missile systems, and nearby vehicles while monitoring the infrared camera feed. Also adding to the stress were the maintenance crews: if the system could be repaired, it could come back online shortly, endangering cities such as Kharkiv and Sumy.
Launch and Impact: Three ATACMS Missiles Devastate Russian S-400 in Kursk
The Ukrainian army launched three ATACMS missiles against the Russian S-400 in Kursk at approximately 21:45 EET. The strike was delivered in three successive quick waves, and within a few minutes, all three missiles had hit the target.
Shadow outlined the burning landscape of the command post. The first missile destroyed the radar station, the second blew up one of the launchers, and the third probably hit an ammunition depot. Even at 50 km, the ground shook under the witnesses, illustrating the power of the strike. The success of the attack proved the value of ATACMS against even Russia’s best air defense systems.
PAF JF-17 Destroys Indian S-400 Using C-400AKGs
Previously during Operation Sindoor, in a daring attack, the Pakistan Air Force employed JF-17 Block III jets to target India’s S-400 system.
Furthermore, the jets allegedly deployed C-400AKG cruise missiles near the Line of Control during a precision operation.
To aid in the attack’s success, electronic warfare teams and ISR platforms simultaneously planned radar gaps. As a result, the JF-17s flew low to evade radar detection and remained outside the S-400 attack envelope. The fighters then launched two terrain-hugging C-400AKGs, which used terminal infrared guidance to hit targets.
Soon after, the missiles struck vital components, including the primary radar and at least one launcher. Satellite photographs confirmed the damage, and local radar coverage briefly vanished.
As a result, Indian air defenses in that sector experienced severe capability losses.
As a result, the attack exposed flaws in static air defense systems, despite their superior technology and the fact that the S-400 was not invincible. Finally, this operation demonstrated how low-cost jets and smart weaponry can outperform even top-tier adversaries when properly coordinated.
Counter Russian EW systems and patrols
But the mission was not without complications. Russian electronic warfare capabilities, such as the Krasukha-4 and possibly the Repellent-1, were in the region. These capabilities were ready to disrupt the GPS guidance of the incoming ATACMS missiles.
To counter this, Ukrainian troops employed decoy-emitting reconnaissance drones to confuse Russian EW platforms. Russian patrols in Bolshoe Zhirovo also grew stronger, threatening to compromise the operation. Shadow recalled how one of the drones managed to evade detection by blending into the forest canopy when a searchlight swept across.
Strategic and Emotional Victory for Ukraine
The destruction of Russia’s S-400 in Kursk was a historic strategic victory for Ukraine. Shadow poignantly described watching the explosion on his drone’s screen as “profoundly satisfying.” For him and his team, it was not about destabilizing the enemy’s defenses—it was about saving civilian lives.
For Shadow, the Russian S-400 in Kursk was an instrument of aggression, repeatedly hitting Ukrainian cities. Its destruction brought a temporary but real sense of relief to frontline towns such as Sumy and Kharkiv.
Ukrainian Experts Commend Tactical Accuracy
The Ukrainian military analysts welcomed the strike as a sign of the increasing operational competency of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the Kyiv Post, a specialist commented that the Russian S-400 in Kursk was Moscow’s proof of superiority in the military. By destroying it successfully with ATACMS, Ukraine shattered the myth about the invincibility of Russian air defense systems.
He further stated that Western intelligence would most probably have backed the operation, bolstering increasing coordination between Ukraine and NATO allies.
Public and Political Reactions to the Strike
Mostly, the public in Ukraine was supportive. On social media site X, individuals were applauding the decision. One @UkraineFrontline tweet said, “Every S-400 down is fewer missiles in our cities. Bravo to our boys!”
Anton Gerashchenko, a popular Ukrainian figure, posted, X: “Another blow to the Russian war machine: destruction of the S-400 in Kursk. Now Ukraine can strike deep into the enemy’s rear.”
Russian Media Underplays Loss, Military Bloggers Outraged
On 26 November 2024, the Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged the Ukrainian missile strike but said nothing about the S-400 blowing up in Kursk. Instead, they said that some of the ATACMS missiles were downed and threatened to retaliate.
In contrast, Russian Telegram channels such as Rybar acknowledged the loss but blamed Western media for sensationalism. There was internal criticism as well. @VoenniyAnalitik criticized Russian commanders for leaving such a valuable system exposed while being repaired, labeling it an intelligence and logistics failure.
Geopolitical Consequences of the Kursk Strike
T The destruction of Russia’s S-400 in Kursk, caused by U.S.-supplied ATACMS, may influence future Western military aid. Defense Blog stated the strike could pressure NATO to send more long-range precision weapons to Ukraine. Newsweek described the operation as “a warning to Russia that no target is out of reach.” The message behind the strike was strategic and aimed at undermining Russia’s sense of battlefield invulnerability.
Conclusion
The Russian S-400 at Kursk symbolizes Moscow’s strength and strategic deterrence. Its destruction on 23 November 2024 exposed a critical vulnerability. Even the most advanced defense can be pierced through careful planning and precise execution.
For Ukraine, this successful strike boosted morale and national unity. It was more than a tactical win—it showed growing confidence and capability. For Russia, the event revealed flaws in operational security and strategic leadership. Such failures undermine deterrence and encourage further Ukrainian strikes. Ukraine will likely continue exploiting these weaknesses with increased accuracy and resolve.
References
- BulgarianMilitary.com
- Kyiv Post
- Newsweek
- Defence Blog
- RIA Novosti
- Pakistan claims the S-400 was hit by JF-17 hypersonic blitz in Punjab
- [Telegram: @VoenniyAnalitik, @Rybar]
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