Russia is once again boasting that its much-hyped S-500 Prometheus surface-to-air missile system can track and shoot down American F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor stealth fighters at ranges up to 600 kilometers. But the Russian claims took a brutal hit when Ukraine’s Prymary special unit destroyed a 98L6 Yenisei radar tied to the S-500 system in Crimea—and the S-500 famously failed to stop a Ukrainian ATACMS strike on the Kerch bridge.
Is Russia’s S-500 Prometheus An Anti-F-35/F-22 Missile System?
DAYTON, Oh.–An F-22A Raptor from the 1st Fighter Wing conducts flying operations during a solar eclipse, April 8, 2024. The aircraft is from the 27th Fighter Squadron stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. The squadron was conducting dissimilar formation training in unfamiliar airspace.(U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster)
The Russian S-500 “Prometheus” is a mobile surface-to-air and anti-ballistic missile system designed to counter a wide range of threats, including aircraft, ballistic missiles, and even low-orbit satellites.
It is the next generation of Russian air defense systems, intended to supplement and eventually replace the S-400. The S-500 is developed by Almaz Antei and is reportedly capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles, with potential anti-satellite capabilities.
Moscow claims the S-500 can track and defeat US-made fifth-generation stealth aircraft, such as the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor.
Is The S-500 A Game-Changer Or More Russian Bluster?
The Russians claim it is a game-changer, with a range of 600 km and an altitude of 200 km. It is designed to detect and shoot down 5th-generation stealth aircraft, such as the American F-22 and F-35.
“Our potential adversaries simply do not possess systems with the long-range missile capabilities of the S-500,” Alexander Mikhailov, the head of Moscow’s Bureau of Military-Political Analysis, told state-run news agency TASS.
“While they have long-range systems designed to intercept various offensive weapons, the specific characteristics of the Prometheus remain unrivaled by our closest competitors.”
“It can detect targets up to 600 kilometers away and engage them with surface-to-air missiles at ranges reaching 500 kilometers. This includes not only ballistic missiles but also aerodynamic targets such as NATO’s supersonic aircraft, as well as various missile types. Notably, it can target medium-range missiles and low-orbit satellites involved in reconnaissance and communication,” Mikhailov added.
But, as with anything else in the Russian military, one must take the boasting about the capabilities of their newest weapon with a healthy dose of salt.
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing F-22 Demo Team, performs an aerial routine during the Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 20, 2023. Wings Over Wayne provides an opportunity for North Carolina residents and visitors from around the world to see how SJAFB builds to the future of airpower and displays a history of aircraft innovation and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Holloway)
Russia Creates The First New Regiment For the S-500
As of last December, they have outfitted one regiment with the S-500, marking the first time Russia has combined air and missile defense into a single system.
“The Aerospace Forces have formed their first air defense and missile defense division,” Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.
“The first regiment, equipped with the unique S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, capable of striking targets in near space, has entered combat duty.”
India is exploring the possibility of acquiring the S-500 Prometheus.
According to a report by Indian Defense News, the move is driven by growing concerns over China’s expanding arsenal of hypersonic glide vehicles, ballistic missiles, and stealth aircraft.
Meet The S-500 Missile System
Russia began developing the S-500 in 2010, shortly after the S-400 systems were deployed. It was designed to work alongside the S-400 and other systems.
Launchers for the S-500 system deploy two rather than four surface-to-air missiles, compared to the S-400 system. The S-500 missiles are able to engage targets up to 600 kilometers away, according to Russian defense officials, compared to 400km for the S-400 and 200km for the rival American THAAD and Patriot systems.
Each S-400 regiment consists of two battalions of eight launchers, though this may differ for the S-500. The new air defense system was to provide a new layer to Russia’s air defense network between the more tactical-level S-300 and S-400 Systems and the strategic-level A-235 system, which was designed to defend against ICBM attacks.
F-22 and F-35 and the Flag. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
F-35I Adir Lockheed Martin Photography by Todd R. McQueen.
S-500’s Increased Interception Range
The S-500 boasts an impressive range, with some sources claiming it can intercept targets at up to 600 km, a significant increase compared to the S-400.
It’s designed to intercept hypersonic missiles, including those traveling at speeds up to Mach 7. Russian military sources say the S-500 can potentially target and destroy satellites in low Earth orbit, a capability that is not fully verified.
It can intercept ballistic missiles during their mid- or terminal-flight stages and may have access to multiple missile types depending on its intended target.
Improved Radar System
The system features a sophisticated radar complex that can simultaneously track multiple targets, including stealth aircraft and hypersonic threats. The radar system allows the S-500 to detect ballistic missiles at ranges up to 2,000 km and airborne targets at up to 800 km.
It was also reported by Russian media in Jun 2021 that the S-500 system will be equipped with interceptors capable of intercepting supersonic weapons.
The S-500 is a mobile system that enables rapid deployment and redeployment to various locations.
There are four radar vehicles per battery: 91N6E(M) S-Band acquisition radar, 96L6-TsP C-Band acquisition radar, 76T6 multi-mode engagement radar, and Yenisei 77T6 Anti-Ballistic Missile engagement radar.
It is designed to work in conjunction with other Russian air defense systems, such as the S-400, S-350, and Pantsir, forming a multi-layered defense network.
S-500 Development and Deployment
The S-500’s development and design are overseen by the Russian enterprise Almaz Antei. It has faced significant delays in its development. After its design development was completed in 2011, its serial production was shifted from 2014 to 2017, to 2021, and finally to 2025.
It has been speculated that the Russians are purposefully delaying the induction of the S-500 to maintain the production lines of the S-400 and continue its exports. Serial production started around 2021, with deliveries to the Russian armed forces confirmed in 2022.
As of December 2025, the first regiment of the system has been operationally deployed, primarily to protect critical assets and strategic regions.
Military Watch magazine wrote that the system’s very long engagement range allows it to pose a serious threat to force-multiplier assets such as tankers and AEW&Cs, which are vital to NATO air power.
The S-500 represents a significant advancement in Russia’s air and missile defense capabilities. Its purported ability to intercept hypersonic missiles and potentially engage satellites would give it a strategic advantage in modern warfare. The system is also seen as a key component of Russia’s overall air defense network.
There Is No Evidence To Believe It Can Track F-35s
The Russians boasted that they can track American F-35s at long ranges. However, they’ve offered no proof that it can target the F-35 or other fifth-generation stealth fighters. It would probably be used to target support aircraft (air refueling tankers) at long ranges.
And it is likely to be even less effective against sixth-generation systems, such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the future Boeing F-47 NGAD fighter.
Ukraine Destroyed S-500 Radar In Crimea
Despite all of the heady claims about its effectiveness, the Russians suffered a significant setback in Crimea. Ukraine’s Prymary (Ghosts) special unit has claimed destroying a 98L6 Yenisei radar during an operation in Crimea.
The S-500 failed to protect the Kerch bridge against a Ukrainian missile attack that used the MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile. Other reports claimed that the radar site was hit with a drone.
During the operation, Ukraine’s intelligence (HUR) operators thought they had located an S-400 Triumf. However, after analyzing the combat footage, they realized that they had located the newest Russian radar equipment.
The Ukrainian military released a video of the strike. This operation raised uncomfortable questions in Moscow about the actual performance of its military equipment rather than the usual bluster.
The S-500 project has been plagued by production delays, an issue that has affected all of Moscow’s defense industries. It is unlikely that Russia can currently produce the S-500 Prometheus in sufficient numbers to replace existing systems, as production is limited to a small number of units.
While serial production started around 2021-2022, output is restricted by manufacturing capacity, high costs, and a focus on supporting ongoing military operations with existing, less complex systems, such as the S-400.
While the operation around the Kerch bridge could be an isolated one, Russia’s claims about being able to defeat US stealth aircraft seem more like Russian bluster than its actual combat performance has shown so far.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
JMauney
May 7, 2026 at 10:34 am
Another Russian power fantasy fueled by equal parts vodka and delusion.