Russian air defense systems in Venezuela failed combat verification: what the US operation showed.

Russian air defense systems in Venezuela failed combat verification

According to UATV: American military operations in Venezuela revealed the ineffectiveness of Russian air defense systems (ADS) purchased in 2009. In particular, the S-300 and 'Buk-M2' systems did not demonstrate their effectiveness during the attack that took place on January 3, 2021. An important aspect of this operation was that the Russian ADS were not connected to radar during the attack, which raised doubts about their combat readiness.

Problems with Russian ADS

The S-300 and 'Buk-M2' systems were purchased by Venezuela in 2009, and as part of the Russian ADS included systems supplied in 2013. However, the results of the US operation revealed that these systems were unable to provide an adequate level of protection. Pete Hegseth, head of the Pentagon, expressed his concern about the effectiveness of Russian ADS in Venezuela, stating:

'It seems the Russian air defense did not work very well' - Pete Hegseth

Experts also express opinions that these ADS may be 'doomed to ineffectiveness'. Sergey Kislitsa, one of the experts, emphasized that such a situation may indicate general problems with the ADS supplied to the country. These facts point to serious challenges facing Russian technology in real combat conditions.

The failure of Russian air defense systems in Venezuela during the American operation raises questions about the reliability and effectiveness of military equipment that Russia supplies to its allies. This may have negative implications for the image of Russian weapons on the international stage, as well as affect military cooperation between Russia and Venezuela in the future. Moreover, the situation demonstrates the importance of adapting ADS to modern combat conditions, which is critically important for ensuring their effectiveness in real armed conflicts.