Ukraine has successfully targeted and destroyed several of Russia’s air-defense systems, according to Kyiv’s authorities. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to further target Russian missile launchers and bolster Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities in response to the Russian offensive.
Special Forces from Ukraine utilized reconnaissance drones to track and adjust strikes on Russian air-defense systems. These drones, equipped with advanced targeting systems, allowed for precise hits on the targets. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) confirmed the destruction of three Pantsir-S1 air-defense missile-gun systems and one Buk launcher.
The SSU released footage showcasing Ukrainian drones operating effectively despite the presence of numerous Russian electronic warfare systems designed to disrupt drone signals. Kyiv’s SBU security service also reported the destruction of four Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile systems, in addition to the previously mentioned Pantsir-S1 and Buk systems. “It’s not fireworks. It’s the destruction of Russian air-defense systems,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry declared.
It’s not fireworks. It’s the destruction of russian air defense systems.
Among the targets:
◾️Three Pantsir S-1 missile systems
◾️Four Tor M-2 missile systems
◾️One Buk SAM system📹: @ServiceSsu pic.twitter.com/Acg3XNvGnB
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 30, 2024
Ukraine’s new Bulava loitering munition, designed specifically to destroy air-defense systems, was showcased at the Eurosatory 2024 international exhibition in Paris.
Recent Ukrainian military operations have also targeted Russian air-defense components in Crimea. Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, mentioned that Russia had deployed an experimental S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in Crimea. Unconfirmed reports suggest that part of this system may have been hit recently.
Ukraine’s government reported on Sunday that its military had destroyed two additional Russian air-defense systems in the past day. Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, Ukraine claims to have destroyed a total of 873 Russian air-defense assets.
Footage released over the weekend by the SBU and Kyiv’s Defense Ministry appears to show Ukrainian drones striking a Tor-M2 system and a Pantsir-S1 system.
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