I break down how the S-400, touted by Putin as the pinnacle of Russian air defense, has been repeatedly outmatched on the battlefield—particularly in Ukraine, where it’s been more of a scrap-metal donor than a strategic asset. From its inability to counter stealth fighters like the F-35 and F-22 to its struggles against drones and missiles, the S-400’s track record is...well, not great. We’ll also explore the system’s vulnerabilities to low-altitude threats, its patchwork integration, and the growing irrelevance of traditional SAM systems in the face of hypersonic missiles. Plus, I’ll touch on Turkey’s controversial S-400 purchase and how it inadvertently showcased the system’s limitations.