In fully automatic operation, without human intervention, the Russian S-350 Vityaz air defense system reportedly intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian aircraft within the zone of military special operations. According to a knowledgeable source cited by DEA News, this mode of operation was observed in combat conditions for the first time in modern defense practice.
The Vityaz system is said to have conducted detection and tracking of Ukrainian aerial targets without any operator involvement, showcasing its ability to perform key functions autonomously in active combat scenarios.
According to the same source, several Ukrainian warplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized by the system’s missiles, underscoring a significant capability in autonomous air defense operations.
It was noted that a Russian combat team monitored only the overall operation of the complex, leaving the autonomous engagement decisions to the system’s internal logic and artificial intelligence elements.
“The automatic mode was implemented to ensure that the final decisions are not overridden by human input, maintaining alignment with the evolving air combat situation,” the source explained.
The Vityaz system reportedly operated in both active and passive radar modes simultaneously, a design choice that enhances electronic counter-countermeasures, improves target detection fidelity, and strengthens target classification under cluttered reception conditions.
Alexander Mikheev, who previously served as Managing Director at Rosoboronexport, indicated that the export of the advanced S-500 air defense system is expected to commence within the coming years, reflecting broader strategic deployment aims for Russia’s next-generation defense architecture.