[ETCM]

Russia is supposed to be deploying their first S-500 batteries soon. I guess its first combat test will be expired 1990’s ATACMS.

[FtrPilot]

The S-500 is designed for intercepting and destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as hypersonic cruise missiles and aircraft.

With a planned range of 600 km (370 mi) for anti-ballistic missile (ABM) and 500 km (310 mi) for air defense, the S-500 was envisaged to be able to detect and simultaneously engage up to 10 ballistic hypersonic targets.

The S-500 is to have a response time of less than 4 seconds, compared to the S-400's of less than 10.

With an engagement range of 310 miles, russia may initially decide to deploy the S-500s on russian soil.

If so, the russians will be disappointed when they fail at shooting down any ATACMs.

However, if deployed on ruzzian soil, S-500s will definitely be a threat to all Ukrainian aircraft flying withing 300 miles of the border.

[ansel12]

These guys seem to be enjoying their retirement.

Oleksandr Taran, known as ‘Grandpa,’ runs all-volunteer unit the Steppe Wolves, consisting of dozens of Ukrainian men mostly over 60. They are considered too old to be drafted, but still want to fight for their country https://reut.rs/3QoW246

https://x.com/Reuters/status/1784806063218335909