The system failed, however, to detect, track, and intercept the only overflight of the Soviet capital Moscow by a U-2 reconnaissance plane on July 5, 1956.

Development of the S-25 was authorized on 9 August 1950 by a decision of USSR and was appended by Stalin: (We have to get the missile for air defense in a year).

The initial design included: The implementation was assigned to the Third Main Agency, which was specially created, by the Soviet of Ministers of the USSR.

After the death of Stalin and arrest of L.P. Beria (the head of Soviet police and security, and the father of S.L.

The Third Main Agency was converted to Glavspetsmash and included into the Ministry of Medium Machine Building.

In order to operate the S-25 system, the "Separate Army for Special Purposes" was established under the command of general-colonel K. Kazakov in the spring of 1955, being part of Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO Strany).

Most sites of the original S-25 complex were dismantled in the 1990s and are now summer cottage developments for Moscow residents.

The decision of the government to build a full scale S-25 complex at the Kapustin Yar was made in January 1954.

Each site was equipped with a B-200 guidance system, including a track while scan radar (designated Yo-Yo by US intelligence).

The radar operated at the frequency 3 GHz and its two fan (1°x60°) beams independently scanned the defended sector in elevation and azimuth.

Although its maximum speed was on the order of Mach 2.5, it had a low initial velocity which limited its engagement capability against supersonic targets.

The missile carried a large warhead of 200–320 kg (440–710 lb), and its lethal radius was estimated to be 20–35 m (66–115 ft).