Russian-supplied air defense systems in Venezuela were largely non-operational and failed to respond during a large-scale U.S. strike that preceded an American special forces operation to seize President Nicolás Maduro, according to a report published by The New York Times on Monday.
The report said the collapse of Venezuela’s defensive posture exposed serious weaknesses in equipment readiness, coordination, and long-term maintenance. As a result, U.S. forces reportedly operated with minimal resistance while entering Venezuelan airspace on January 3.
Systems acquired for protection proved ineffective
Venezuela began purchasing Russian-made S-300 and Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile systems in 2009, presenting the acquisitions as a strategic shield against potential U.S. military action. However, U.S. officials familiar with the operation said the systems were not even connected to radar when American aircraft crossed into Venezuelan airspace. Moreover, former U.S. officials and independent analysts stated that the platforms were not networked with one another and may not have functioned properly for years. Analysis of photos, videos, and satellite imagery taken after the strikes showed that key components remained in storage instead of being deployed.
Maintenance failures and strategic consequences emerge
The report added that U.S. planners prioritized strikes on locations where Buk systems were deployed or stored, including several sites near Caracas. Meanwhile, officials said Venezuela has struggled to maintain its Russian-made defenses because of shortages of specialists and spare parts. Those resources, they noted, were increasingly redirected to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Two former U.S. officials suggested Moscow may have allowed the systems to deteriorate deliberately to avoid provoking a more serious confrontation with Washington. Venezuelan analyst Yaser Trujillo said the armed forces were unprepared, with troops undistributed and detection radar inactive, which ultimately enabled U.S. forces to operate with ease.
