568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
Unit Identification and Overview
The 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, designated as military unit 28042, is a formation within the Russian Aerospace Forces specializing in air defense operations. The regiment is equipped with the S-300PS surface-to-air missile system, a key component of Russia's layered air defense network. The unit's primary mission is to provide medium- to long-range airspace denial and protection of strategic assets against a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
Location Analysis
The headquarters of the 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment is associated with military unit 28042. While the precise coordinates are not publicly disclosed for operational security reasons, open-source intelligence and historical deployment patterns suggest that the regiment is stationed within the Western or Central Military Districts of the Russian Federation. These regions are strategically significant due to their proximity to key military and industrial infrastructure, as well as their role in the integrated air defense of Russia's western approaches.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The regiment's infrastructure typically includes hardened command posts, radar installations, missile launch sites, and logistical support facilities. The S-300PS system requires a network of mobile launchers, engagement radars, and command vehicles, all of which are supported by secure communications and maintenance depots. The infrastructure is designed to enable rapid redeployment and high survivability against potential pre-emptive strikes, with elements often dispersed to minimize vulnerability.
Operational Equipment
The 568th Regiment is equipped with the S-300PS (NATO reporting name: SA-10B 'Grumble'), a mobile, long-range surface-to-air missile system. The S-300PS variant is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously at ranges up to 90 kilometers and altitudes up to 27 kilometers. The system includes 5P85S/D launchers, 30N6 engagement radars, and 76N6 low-altitude detection radars, providing robust coverage against a spectrum of aerial threats. The regiment's inventory is periodically modernized to maintain operational effectiveness.
Strategic Role and Integration
The 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment plays a critical role within the broader Russian Integrated Air Defense System (IADS). It operates in conjunction with other air defense regiments, early warning assets, and fighter aviation units to create a multi-layered defensive shield. The regiment's deployment is coordinated with regional and national command structures, ensuring rapid response to incursions and seamless integration with adjacent air defense sectors.
Recent Developments and Readiness
Recent years have seen a heightened emphasis on combat readiness and mobility within Russian air defense units, including the 568th Regiment. Regular training exercises, both independently and as part of larger joint drills, have focused on rapid redeployment, electronic warfare resilience, and interoperability with newer air defense systems such as the S-400. Open-source reporting indicates a sustained level of operational activity, reflecting the regiment's high readiness posture.