590th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
Unit Overview
The 590th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, designated as military unit 31665, is a component of the Russian Aerospace Forces specializing in air defense operations. The regiment is equipped with advanced surface-to-air missile systems, primarily the S-400 Triumf, which is designed to engage a wide range of aerial threats including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The unit's operational focus is the protection of critical military and strategic assets against aerial incursions.
Location Analysis
The headquarters of the 590th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment is associated with military unit 31665. Following the commencement of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, elements of the regiment and its S-400 systems were redeployed closer to the Ukrainian border. This forward positioning enhances the coverage of Russian air defense networks in the western and southwestern operational directions, increasing the ability to detect and engage targets in contested airspace.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The regiment's infrastructure is tailored to support the operation and maintenance of the S-400 system, which requires specialized launch platforms, radar arrays, command vehicles, and logistical support units. The deployment sites are typically fortified and equipped with hardened shelters, mobile command posts, and secure communications infrastructure to ensure operational resilience and rapid response capability.
Equipment and Armament
The primary weapon system operated by the 590th Regiment is the S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler), a long-range air defense missile system capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 400 kilometers and altitudes up to 30 kilometers. The S-400 system is supported by a suite of multi-function radars, engagement control centers, and a variety of interceptor missiles optimized for different threat profiles. The regiment's inventory is periodically modernized to maintain technological parity with evolving aerial threats.
Operational Role and Recent Activity
In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the 590th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment has played a significant role in reinforcing Russian air defense coverage along the western approaches. The redeployment of S-400 assets closer to the Ukrainian theater underscores the strategic priority assigned to airspace denial and the protection of Russian ground forces and logistical corridors from aerial attack. The regiment maintains a high readiness posture, with frequent drills and live-fire exercises reported in open-source intelligence.