Russian S-300 missile explodes after launch, creating rain of fire on the ground
The S-300 missile malfunctioned after leaving the launch pad and fell, causing small explosions but not affecting civilians.
| The S-300 missile had an accident, fell to the ground and exploded after being launched at the Kapustin Yar test site, Astrakhan region, Russia on December 9. Video:Lenta. |
On December 11, a video appeared on Russian social networks showing an S-300 missile having an accident during a launch at the Kapustin Yar missile test site in the Astrakhan region. In the video, the anti-aircraft missile exploded as it was taking off from the launch pad and was in the process of gaining trajectory, falling and creating a rain of fire on the ground, right in front of the eyes of many drivers on the road.
A representative of the agency in charge of emergency situations in the region said the S-300 missile exploded inside the test site on December 9, causing no damage to the surrounding residential area, according toRIA Novosti. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the incident.
The S-300 air defense system uses the cold launch principle, the missile is pushed out of the launch tube by compressed air and the rocket motor is then activated. In some launches, the S-300 missile falls after leaving the launch tube due to the motor not working, causing the launch tube to be crushed and even explode.
The S-300 was developed by Almaz-Antey Corporation, using missiles manufactured by MKB Fakel Design Bureau and NPO Novator. The S-300 has a range of 200 km, and its radar system can track more than 20 targets at the same time. The Soviet Union began putting the S-300 into service in 1978, and nearly 20 countries around the world currently possess this air defense system. Russia possesses all versions of the S-300 with about 2,000 launchers.
