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Ukraine Smashes Russian Air Defenses So Badly Moscow Wants Its S-400s Back From Türkiye
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine’s battlefield successes have left Russia so short on advanced air defense that Moscow is now asking Türkiye to sell back the very S-400 missile systems it once exported there, Ukrainian defense media outlet Defense Express reported on September 13.
The unusual proposal, first reported by Turkish outlet Nefes, highlights how heavily Russia has relied on its S-400 systems during the war in Ukraine—and how Ukraine’s Armed Forces have steadily eroded that capacity.
The S-400 Triumf (Russian: C-400 «Триумф», NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is a mobile strategic high-altitude anti-aircraft missile system designed by the NPO Almaz missile design bureau. It is a version of the S-300 family of high-altitude missiles. It was the world's… pic.twitter.com/XZI5m8wWAh
— Leandro Romão 🇵🇹 (@leandroOnX) May 28, 2025
Facing losses of S-400 components on the battlefield and an overall shortage of long-range surface-to-air missile systems, Moscow has reportedly approached Ankara with an offer to buy back the S-400 batteries Türkiye purchased in 2017 for $2.5 billion.
For Ankara, the situation presents both risks and opportunities. On one hand, Türkiye has struggled to integrate the S-400 into its NATO defense framework and has faced US sanctions, including its expulsion from the F-35 program, for buying the system.
Seems like the ATACMS attack near Mospino Airfield was indeed successful.
— WarVehicleTracker🇵🇱 ☧ (@WarVehicle) May 23, 2024
At least 2x 5P85SM2-01/5P85T2 TELs for the S-400 Air Defence system, a 96L6 Radar and a 55K6A? Command Post were destroyed.
Additionally another TEL was damaged.
According to reports, 5 ATACMS were used pic.twitter.com/O0wMROx6jf
On the other hand, selling the weapons back to Russia could bring political backlash from Washington and potentially derail Türkiye’s stated ambition to return to the F-35 program and acquire 32 new F-16C Block 70 fighters.
Defense analysts note that Russia’s desperation gives Türkiye leverage. “It is Moscow, not Ankara, that urgently needs additional S-400s,” reported Ukraine’s Defense Express. “That gives Türkiye room to drive a hard bargain—and possibly redirect any windfall into its own fifth-generation fighter program.”
At the same time, the US reaction will likely be decisive. If Türkiye is seen as helping to restore Russia’s depleted air defenses, the move could draw “a critically negative response” from Washington, analysts warn.
While no official negotiations have been confirmed, even the suggestion of such a deal underscores the impact of Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s air defense network.
Each destroyed radar, launcher, or missile battery makes it harder for Moscow to shield its territory—and increases pressure to find replacements anywhere it can.
Earlier, Ukraine destroyed a Russian S-400 and GLONASS site in Crimea—Ukrainian military intelligence confirms direct hits on deep-space RT-70 radar and other high-value targets.
-24ca8683eb01b729cd8fae98f952003a.jpg "Ukrainian Ratel-S drone equipped with a downed Shahed warhead. (Source: omelyanovi4/Instagram)")
-0158b6b681e3668f470de36aedad9e3c.jpg "Russian Su-24 bomber moments before Ukrainian drone strike, Crimea. (Source: HUR)")
