Is This Image Of India’s S-400 Destroyed By Pakistan? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Photograph

A photograph allegedly showing the wreckage of India’s S-400, a long-range surface-to-air missile (MLR SAM) system developed by Russia, that was purportedly destroyed by the Pakistan forces during the recent military escalations has gone viral on social media platforms. 

Such posts can be seen here and here.

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Fact Check/Verification

A Google Lens search on the viral image led us to a report by Ukraine-based Defense Express, dated May 23, 2024. Carrying the same image, it  stated, “A photo has appeared online showing the successful work of Ukrainian missile engineers who hit a rather expensive and important target – the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. The location of the events was declared as the Mospine district in the Donetsk region…(translated from Ukrainian via Google).”

We also found a report by another outlet Oboz.ua, dated May 23, 2024, featuring the same image, and corroborating, “On Wednesday, May 22, at approximately 12:50, a Russian military base located near the village of Mospyne was attacked in the temporarily occupied Donbass. As a result of this attack, a lot of Russian equipment was destroyed and damaged, in particular air defense installations… (translated from Russian via Google).” It added that the same was reported by a Telegram channel “Spy Dossier, which is run on behalf of an employee of one of the special services.”

The photo was also featured in a YouTube video by Warthog Defense from May 2024, titled “A VIDEO OF THE US ATACMS MISSILES ATTACK ON RUSSIAN S-300/400 SYSTEM IN DONETSK || 2024”. It also featured a video showing the equipment on fire. 

We were not independently able to verify the exact location of the photo.

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India Dismisses Claim On S-400

Notably, the Government’s PIB Fact Check has clarified, “Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are baseless.”

During a presser after the ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi also said, “Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong.”

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Conclusion

Hence, we find that the viral posts claiming to show the wreckage of India’s S-400 that was allegedly destroyed by Pakistan are false.

Sources
Report By Defense Express, Dated May 23, 2024
Report By Oboz.ua, Dated May 23, 2024
X Post By PIB Fact Check, Dated May 10, 2025
Report By India Today, Dated May 10, 2025