Ukraine Destroys Rare Russian 5N63S Radar, the “Brain” of S-300 and S-400 Air Defense

Ukraine’s 15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade has destroyed a Russian 5N63S radar station, a rare and highly valuable component of the S-300 air defense system, according to footage released by the unit on May 25.

The brigade said its aerial reconnaissance operators detected the target on one of the active front-line sectors before Ukrainian forces struck it with a direct hit.

The 5N63S is a radar illumination and guidance station used in the S-300PS and S-300PMU air defense systems. It combines the functions of a mobile command post and a multifunctional target illumination and missile guidance radar, making it one of the core elements of the system.

In practice, the radar serves as the “brain” of the air defense battery. It detects targets, identifies them, tracks them, and guides interceptor missiles toward incoming threats.

Without such radar systems, S-300 and related air defense batteries become far less effective and, in some cases, may be unable to operate properly.

The 5N63S can reportedly detect and acquire targets at ranges of up to 180 kilometers. It is capable of tracking and engaging up to six targets simultaneously while guiding up to 12 surface-to-air missiles.

The radar is typically mounted on a MAZ-543M heavy off-road chassis, allowing it to move with air defense units and deploy in field conditions.

Earlier, reports emerged that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged components of Russia’s RSP-28ME aircraft landing radar system at the Russian-controlled Belbek air base in temporarily occupied Crimea during the night of May 16–17.

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