A satellite image supposedly showing a Russian-made S-300PT air defense system in the United States has gained a wide attention in the social and mainstream media.
The picture was originally released by @border9999 in Twitter, but then it was deleted. Despite this, it’s copies are available online.
Пусковые установки и машины управления системы ПВО С-300 на американском полигоне. Фото @border9999 pic.twitter.com/wBgK35JiPo
— Ivan O’Gilvi (@o_gilvi) 12 May 2019
The S-300 system entered service with the Soviet military in 1979. In the following years, S-300 systems were delivered to various states, including China, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Vietnam, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
In its report on the issue, RT noted that according to some reports, the US has retained at least one S-300 installation since the early 1990s, which it allegedly acquired from Belarus amidst the turmoil following the USSR’s collapse.
“The New York Times reported back in 1994 that the Pentagon’s chief military intelligence bought “components” of the S-300 in a secretive deal in order to study the system. The complexes reportedly came without electronics and radar equipment.”
