Ukrainian attack drones struck an S-400 Triumph air defense system in occupied Crimea, destroying a missile launcher and its attendant radar unit, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) reported on 26 October.
Ukrainian intelligence drones from the Prymary unit have destroyed several key radar systems, including those tied to the S-400 system, leaving russian forces increasingly exposed.
he Defense Intelligence of Ukraine continues its campaign of targeted strikes against russian radar and air defense infrastructure in temporarily occupied Crimea. Operators from the Prymary special unit have once again demonstrated exceptional skill and precision, evading enemy air defenses to destroy several high-value targets.
In their latest operation, Ukrainian drones successfully hit a series of critical radar installations that form part of russia’s layered air defense network on the peninsula. The list of destroyed assets includes the 96L6 radar associated with the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, the P-18 Terek early-warning radar, and the 55Zh6U Nebo-U radar – all crucial elements of russian long-range detection and tracking capabilities.
These radar systems are integral to the S-400 system’s ability to detect and engage aerial targets, including Ukrainian drones and missiles. Their loss significantly degrades russia’s situational awareness and defensive posture over temporarily occupied territory. In addition to these land-based targets, Ukrainian forces also struck the BK-16 landing craft, further underlining the expanding reach of the operations against both ground and naval objectives.
Ukraine’s intelligence identified the missile system during a reconnaissance mission, got visual confirmation, and was cleared to fire on the target during the overnight operation on 5 September.
Open-source intelligence from the monitoring community Oko Gora placed the target between 150 and 250 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, United 24 reported.
This is the latest in a series of successful attacks on Russia’s S-400 installations in occupied Crimea and Russian territory.
Special forces also reported destroying components of S-400 systems in occupied Crimea in late August and late June, taking down multiple radar components and one launcher.
In January and September again, the Ukrainian General Staff reported destroying S-400 radar equipment in Russia’s Belgorod oblast. Similar strikes picking Russia’s S-400s apart were also reported in the preceding years.
The S-400 Triumph is Russia’s most advanced air defense missile system. It is reportedly able to track and destroy aircraft, missiles, and drones hundreds of kilometers away. A single battery, consisting of multiple launchers and their loading and targeting vehicles, is estimated to cost $1.2 billion.
Military experts speaking to the Kyiv Independent in September 2023 said that while capable, S-400s are vulnerable to stand-off and stand-in jamming and may be confused by small, slow-moving targets like drones. To operate safely, the system needs to be layered with short- to medium-range air defenses.
Ukrainian special forces also criticized Russia’s organizational doctrine when deploying the systems.
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