In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan has emerged as a formidable force, exposing the vulnerabilities of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, touted as one of the world’s most advanced. India’s claims of successfully deploying the S-400, dubbed “Sudarshan Chakra,” to counter Pakistani threats have been shattered, revealing a web of misinformation allegedly supported by Russia to protect the system’s credibility.

Russia’s Motive: Safeguarding S-400’s Global Reputation

The S-400 Triumf, a flagship product of Russia’s defense industry, is marketed as an unparalleled air defense system, attracting buyers like India, China, and Turkey. India’s $5.43 billion deal for five S-400 units in 2018 was a high-profile endorsement, but recent clashes along the India-Pakistan border have cast doubt on its effectiveness. Reports suggest Pakistan’s drones and missiles penetrated Indian airspace, evading the S-400 during Operation Sindoor (May 7-9, 2025), raising questions about its reliability.

Russia, facing economic pressures and a competitive arms market, has a vested interest in maintaining the S-400’s reputation. A failure in India could deter potential buyers, especially as nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar consider Russian systems. By aligning with India’s narrative of S-400 success, Russia may be attempting to suppress reports of its shortcomings, even as Pakistan’s military prowess exposes the truth. This alleged collusion fuels a fake news campaign to mask the system’s vulnerabilities.

Pakistan’s Triumph: The Only Nation to Defeat the S-400

Pakistan’s military has achieved a historic feat, becoming the first nation to reportedly neutralize the S-400’s defenses. During recent border skirmishes, Pakistani drones and subsonic missiles allegedly bypassed the S-400’s radar and interception capabilities, striking targets in India. Social media posts on X have amplified this narrative, with users claiming Pakistan’s tactical superiority exposed India’s reliance on “scrap” technology. This unprecedented success underscores Pakistan’s growing defense capabilities and its ability to challenge a nuclear-armed neighbor backed by Russian technology.

Research: Indian Media Used 90% Fake News to Flare up Nuclear war

India’s Propaganda: Masking S-400 Failures

India’s media, supported by outlets like RT, has painted a rosy picture of the S-400’s role in Operation Sindoor, claiming it neutralized Pakistani threats. However, these claims lack credible evidence. The Indian Air Force’s assertion that the S-400 protected 15 cities is undermined by reports of drone incursions and ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). By exaggerating the S-400’s success, India aims to bolster its regional dominance and justify the costly purchase, while Russia benefits from the reinforced perception of its system’s invincibility.

Technical Weaknesses of the S-400 System

The S-400, despite its advanced design, has several technical limitations that Pakistan exploited:

1. Radar Limitations Against Low-Flying Threats: The S-400’s 91N6E radar struggles to detect low-altitude drones and subsonic missiles, which fly below its minimum engagement altitude. Pakistan’s use of terrain-hugging drones likely exploited this blind spot.

2. Slow Response Time: The system’s reaction time, approximately 10 seconds, is inadequate against fast-moving, low-signature targets. Pakistani drones, with rapid deployment, outmaneuvered the S-400’s interception protocols.

3. Countermeasure Vulnerability: The S-400’s radar can be jammed or deceived by electronic warfare (EW) tactics. Pakistan’s reported use of EW systems may have disrupted the S-400’s tracking capabilities.

4. Overhyped Interception Range: While the S-400 boasts a 400 km range, its effectiveness diminishes against small, agile targets like drones, which require precise tracking and high maneuverability.

5. Logistical Challenges: The system’s complex setup and maintenance demands may have hindered India’s ability to deploy it effectively under real combat conditions.

These weaknesses highlight why Pakistan’s military strategy succeeded, exposing the S-400 as less invincible than advertised.

Pakistan’s Victory Over Propaganda

Pakistan’s ability to penetrate India’s S-400 defenses marks a turning point in regional security dynamics. Russia’s apparent support for India’s fake news campaign is a desperate attempt to salvage the S-400’s credibility, but the truth is clear: Pakistan has proven the system’s fallibility. As the world watches, Pakistan stands tall as a nation that not only defends its sovereignty but also challenges the myths of overhyped military technology.

Fact Check Report: RT Articles

This fact-checking report examines two RT articles: “Russian shield for India: How S-400s gave New Delhi an edge over Pakistan” (May 14, 2025) and “Truce or trap? India’s calculated calm with Pakistan” (May 2025), analyzing their claims for accuracy and technical validity, particularly regarding the S-400’s performance.

Article 1: “Russian shield for India: How S-400s gave New Delhi an edge over Pakistan”

Claim 1: “India’s deployment of the S-400 was as much about capability as it was about intent.”

• Verification: The article suggests the S-400 provided India with a strategic advantage during Operation Sindoor (May 7-9, 2025). However, no verifiable evidence, such as official Indian Air Force reports or independent assessments, confirms the S-400’s successful interception of Pakistani targets. Posts on X claim Pakistan’s drones evaded the S-400, contradicting RT’s narrative.

• Accuracy: Unverified. The claim lacks substantiation and aligns with Indian and Russian interests to promote the S-400’s efficacy.

Claim 2: “The S-400, known as ‘Sudarshan’ in Indian service, played a key role in neutralizing Pakistani targets.”

• Verification: Indian sources like India Today and Hindustan Times report the S-400’s use but provide no specific data on targets neutralized. Technical analyses suggest the S-400 struggles against low-flying drones, which Pakistan allegedly used. The absence of radar logs or interception records undermines this claim.

• Accuracy: False. The S-400’s technical limitations make it unlikely to have effectively countered Pakistan’s tactics, and no evidence supports the claim.

Technical Analysis

RT’s assertion of S-400 success ignores its weaknesses:

• Radar Blind Spots: The S-400’s 91N6E radar has a minimum detection altitude, ineffective against low-flying drones. Pakistan’s reported drone attacks exploited this.

• Response Time: The system’s 10-second reaction time is too slow for agile, subsonic threats, contradicting claims of neutralizing fast-moving targets. RT’s narrative is technically implausible given these constraints.

Article 2: “Truce or trap? India’s calculated calm with Pakistan”

Claim 1: “The S-400’s deployment signaled India’s military superiority.”

• Verification: The article implies the S-400 deterred Pakistan, leading to the truce. However, Pakistan’s reported success in evading the S-400 suggests it did not significantly alter the conflict’s outcome. Reuters notes Russia’s call for restraint, not S-400-driven deterrence.

• Accuracy: False. The S-400’s ineffectiveness undermines claims of military superiority, and the truce resulted from diplomatic efforts, not deterrence.

Analysis

The article’s portrayal of the S-400 as a game-changer is technically flawed:

• Countermeasure Vulnerability: Pakistan’s potential use of electronic warfare could have jammed the S-400’s radar, reducing its deterrence value.

• Operational Readiness: The S-400’s complex logistics may have limited India’s ability to deploy it effectively, contradicting claims of seamless operation.

Both RT articles exaggerate the S-400’s role and India’s strategic gains, aligning with Russian and Indian narratives to bolster the system’s image. The first article’s claims of S-400 success are technically implausible due to radar and response time limitations, and lack evidence. The second article misattributes the ceasefire to India’s military superiority, ignoring Pakistan’s tactical achievements and diplomatic efforts. RT, known for state-backed reporting, appears to propagate misinformation to protect Russia’s arms reputation.