Drone pilots from the Bulava unit of the 3rd Mechanized Battalion have successfully destroyed russian Zoopark-1 radar system. The strike was carried out using FPV drones and is considered a significant tactical victory for Ukrainian forces. The footage of the operation was released on June 1 by the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group.
According to the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group, russian radar was well concealed in a wooded area, but Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance was able to detect its exact location. The Zoopark-1, officially known as the 1L219 counter-battery radar system, plays a critical role in russia's artillery warfare, providing precise targeting data for counter-battery fire.
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The destruction of this system is particularly notable because of its rarity. As the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group noted, russia does not possess a large number of these radars.
"This is very good news, especially because the russians don’t have many of these systems. Now there is one less," reads the report.
The Zoopark-1 system is engineered to calculate the firing positions of enemy artillery, mortars, and even air defense systems with high accuracy. This capability makes it a substantial threat to Ukrainian positions, especially in frontline areas where artillery duels are frequent.
Eliminating such high-value targets significantly reduces the enemy's ability to carry out precise counterattacks. For Ukrainian troops, it means fewer threats from incoming artillery that relies on this radar’s targeting capabilities. It also signals the growing effectiveness of drone warfare in modern combat.
The radar system's destruction carries a substantial financial cost for russia as well. According to open sources, the estimated price of a single Zoopark-1 unit is around $24 million. This loss is not only tactical but also a blow to russia's military budget and equipment logistics.
This successful operation highlights the importance of aerial reconnaissance and drone strike capabilities in Ukraine’s defense strategy. As the war evolves, precision strikes on expensive and rare equipment like the Zoopark-1 system are becoming a defining element of battlefield success.
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