The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reportedly struck a Russian long-range radar with kamikaze drones on Tuesday.
Seven drones struck the Nebo-U radar in Russia’s bordering Bryansk Oblast, rendering it inoperative, The Kyiv Independent revealed citing an SBU source.
The estimated $100 million radar could peer 700 kilometers (435 miles) into Ukrainian air space, the outlet added.
“Thanks to the destruction of this radar, the enemy has fewer opportunities to detect air targets along Ukraine’s northern border,” The Kyiv Independent quoted the source as saying.
“Russians’ radar blindness will help our troops to conduct reconnaissance, launch drones and use army aviation in this area more efficiently.”
Third Nebo Loss
The Nebo U and M can detect and track a range of air targets, including aircraft, guided cruise missiles, and stealthy hypersonic and ballistic missiles up to 600 kilometers (373 miles), according to Russian state-run news agency TASS.
It can help identify an air asset’s nationality and locate active jammers.
This is the third time a Russian Nebo radar has been damaged or destroyed by Ukrainian forces since the war began, and the first this year.
Crimean Air Base Attack
It comes as Ukraine on Wednesday reportedly struck a Russian airbase at Dzhankoi in Crimea, damaging or destroying several S-400 and S-300 air defense systems.
According to the Fire Information for Resource Management System, which provides near real-time active fire data, six blazes were seen around the base up to five hours after the explosions were heard.
Ukraine fired as many as a dozen ballistic missiles at the base, rendering up to 22 personnel missing, The War Zone wrote citing Russian social media.