4th Air Defense Division
Organizational Overview
The 4th Air Defense Division, headquartered in Dolgoprudny, Moscow Oblast, operates under the Russian Aerospace Forces' Air and Missile Defense Command. It is tasked with the integrated air defense of the Moscow region, a critical area encompassing key political, economic, and military infrastructure. The division comprises several anti-aircraft missile regiments and a radio-technical regiment, each responsible for specific operational zones and equipped with advanced air defense systems.
Location Analysis
The division's headquarters and subordinate units are strategically positioned within Moscow Oblast and its environs, providing layered air defense coverage for the capital and surrounding critical assets. The proximity to Moscow ensures rapid response capabilities and facilitates command and control integration with national-level defense structures. The locations of regimental command posts and missile batteries are selected to maximize radar coverage and overlapping engagement zones, reducing vulnerabilities to saturation attacks.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The 4th Air Defense Division maintains robust infrastructure, including hardened command posts, secure communication nodes, and specialized maintenance facilities. Regimental headquarters and missile battalions are supported by logistics hubs capable of sustaining high operational tempos. The presence of multiple command posts within regiments, such as the 210th and 584th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiments, enhances redundancy and survivability in the event of electronic or kinetic attacks.
Missile System Inventory
The division fields a mix of advanced surface-to-air missile systems, notably the S-400 'Triumf' and S-300PM series. The 93rd Guards, 210th, 584th Guards, and 612nd Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiments are documented as operating S-400 and S-300PM systems. The S-400 provides extended-range, multi-target engagement capabilities against aircraft, ballistic, and cruise missiles, while the S-300PM offers reliable medium-to-long-range coverage. The integration of these systems creates a multi-layered defense network with overlapping engagement envelopes.
Command and Control Structure
Command and control within the division is centralized at the divisional headquarters in Dolgoprudny, with regimental command posts exercising tactical control over assigned assets. The existence of secondary and possibly tertiary command posts, particularly within the 210th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, suggests a focus on command continuity and resilience. Secure, redundant communications infrastructure supports real-time data exchange and coordination with higher echelons and adjacent units.
Radio-Technical Regiment Capabilities
The 25th Radio-Technical Regiment, military unit 86655, is responsible for radar surveillance and early warning within the division's area of responsibility. The regiment operates multiple radar sites, designated as 86655-E, 86655-M, and 86655-V, providing continuous airspace monitoring and target acquisition data to missile regiments. This capability is essential for the timely detection and tracking of aerial threats, enabling effective engagement by missile batteries.
Operational Readiness and Redundancy
The division's structure and deployment reflect a high degree of operational readiness. The distribution of command posts, the presence of multiple regiments with overlapping missile systems, and the integration of advanced radar assets ensure sustained defensive operations under contested conditions. Regular exercises and system upgrades contribute to maintaining a credible deterrent and rapid response posture.
Strategic Significance
The 4th Air Defense Division is a cornerstone of the Russian Federation's strategic air and missile defense, particularly for the Moscow region. Its capabilities are designed to counter a broad spectrum of aerial threats, including advanced stealth aircraft, ballistic missiles, and precision-guided munitions. The division's robust infrastructure, modern equipment, and layered defense concept significantly enhance the security of national command authorities and critical infrastructure.