Russia transferred S-400 from Kaliningrad to Rostov – Bellingcat

14 November, 2023 S-400 SAM. Photo from open sources Russia likely transferred its S-400 air defense systems from the Kaliningrad region to Rostov-on-Don.

Bellingcat investigators came to these conclusions. This is based on the analysis of satellite images for the period between late October and early November. The investigation reports that the elements of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems have been moved from at least two Russian air defense sites.

This regards several battalions. The exact site of their relocation remains uncertain. Nevertheless, observers suggested that these air defense systems were delivered to Rostov-on-Don.

S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

Photo credits: Dmitry Vinogradov/RIA Novosti

Journalists discovered that the movement of weapons coincided with the increase in flights of Russian An-124 and Il-76 military transport aircraft from Kaliningrad over the Baltic Sea towards the mainland of the aggressor country. Moreover, while flying over the territory of the Russian Federation, the pilots turned off transponders that allowed tracking the aircraft's route and landing site. Elements of Russian air defense systems were redeployed in late October and early November.

After analyzing satellite images, Bellingcat discovered that at least some parts of the S-400 air defense system were moved from the air defense site near the town of Gvardeysk.

The yellow color marks the places in Kaliningrad region from where the Russians moved the S-400 systems.

Source: Google Earth/Bellingcat

It is also assumed that some components of the air defense systems may have been moved from the site west of Kaliningrad near Primorskaya Bay.

However, it is not yet possible to accurately verify this information due to the poor quality of satellite images, which is related to the weather conditions during the period in question.

Destroyed 5P85SM2-1 self-propelled launcher from the S-400 anti-aircraft system, July 2023

The relocation of Russian air defense systems closer to the border with Ukraine is likely indicating that the Russians are trying to compensate for the losses of their air defense system from repeated Ukrainian strikes on the temporarily occupied territory.