Russian Air Defense Systems Proved Useless During US Operation in Venezuela
The New York Times reports that Russian air defense systems supplied to Venezuela proved virtually useless during American strikes that preceded the US operation to capture the country's president, Nicolas Maduro. According to the publication, during the operation on January 3, the S-300 and "Buk-M2" complexes were not even connected to radars and could not effectively respond to the threat.
Russian S-300 complex. Illustrative photo. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
According to former American officials and analysts, Venezuelan air defense systems were not interconnected and may have been non-functional for several years. An analysis of photographs, videos, and satellite data showed that some elements of the complexes were in storage and were not brought to combat readiness. American forces primarily targeted storage and deployment sites for "Buk" anti-aircraft complexes, including near Caracas.
One of the strikes occurred in the port city of La Guaira. Local authorities stated that the attack was aimed at warehouses containing medicines, but videos showed the remnants of "Buk" launchers and missile debris. Similar strikes were recorded in neighboring cities, as well as at airbases, where both launchers and command posts of air defense systems were destroyed.
According to American sources, Venezuela faced serious problems with maintaining Russian systems due to a lack of specialists and spare parts, which Russia needed in Ukraine. It is not excluded that Moscow deliberately allowed these armaments to fall into disrepair to avoid a direct confrontation with the United States. The downing of an American aircraft could have had serious consequences for the Kremlin.
Venezuelan military personnel, according to analysts, made a number of mistakes: forces were not dispersed, radars were not activated, and systems were not put into operation. As a result, the country's air defense posed no significant threat and allowed the United States to operate almost unhindered.
It is also noted that Venezuela hardly used Russian portable anti-aircraft "Igla-S" systems, despite Maduro's statements about their large quantity. After several launches, American aviation carried out harsh retaliatory strikes, which, according to US officials, may have discouraged Venezuelan military personnel from using these systems.
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