A short clip of a British-provided Ukrainian Stormshadow cruise missile streaking past Russian air defenses in occupied Crimea. These S-300/S-400 SAM batteries sat dormant as the missile continued on its journey, eventually striking the command post at Belbek airfield near Sevastopol. Long range munitions such as Stormshadow grant Ukraine the ability to strike Russian positions in Crimea with the dual objectives of eroding support for Russian troops deployed in Kherson and Zaporizhia and of rendering Crimea untenable for occupying Russian forces. Russian air defenses on the peninsula are robust and have thus far made it difficult for Ukraine to find success in the air campaign those attacks which have been successful have been expensive, requiring the expenditure of multiple high valued munitions to strike a single target, and have required shaping operations to suppress or neutralize Russian air defenses. The fact that a cruise missile could streak past SAM batteries with no reaction might be an indication of degrading Russian capabilities.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.