Ukraine destroys rare Russian S-350 radar in Donbass
Ukrainian drone operators launched coordinated strikes on high-value Russian air defense systems in the occupied Donetsk region on January 1, obliterating a scarce S-350 Vityaz radar and multiple launchers. These precise attacks have notably eroded Moscow's defensive shield across eastern Ukraine. The operations were carried out by the Asgard Battalion of the 412th Nemesis Brigade, part of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, as confirmed by commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi in social media posts on January 1 and 2.
Video footage captured Ukrainian drones striking the S-350's critical 50N6E multifunction radar, along with a Tor surface-to-air missile launcher, in Russian-held areas of Donetsk. The 50N6E radar, a key element of Russia's newest mid-range air defense platform introduced in 2019, can simultaneously detect and track up to 40 targets while engaging eight. Manufacturer specifications highlight its ability to intercept aerodynamic targets at ranges up to 60 kilometers and altitudes reaching 30 kilometers.
Brovdi detailed the success: "On January 1, the Birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed two air defense systems: a Tor launcher and the S-350 Vityaz radar." These hits followed rapid successive strikes on December 31, when Ukrainian drones took out Buk-M3 and Tor launchers within about an hour in the Huliaipole and Orikhiv sectors. The Buk-M3 engages targets up to 70 kilometers away and at altitudes of 35,000 meters, forming a vital layer in Russia's integrated air defense network, while the Tor-M2 operates as a fully autonomous short-range system effective up to 16 kilometers.
Such losses significantly undermine Russian air coverage in affected zones, according to Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi. Modern radar units like the S-350, priced between $130 million and $150 million, prove especially challenging and expensive to replace. Brovdi noted these systems typically deploy deep behind front lines, requiring Ukrainian forces to employ mid-range strike munitions with warheads weighing tens of kilograms for adequate destructive power. The triumphs underscore the expanding reach and precision of Ukraine's unmanned systems against Russia's cutting-edge military hardware.
