The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine continues to dismantle russian air defense capabilities on the Donbas front, as the elite Primary special unit expands its recent series of precision drone strikes. Over the past two weeks, the group has successfully targeted and destroyed several high-value components of russia's layered air defense network, demonstrating both growing Ukrainian strike capability and ongoing russian vulnerability.
According to the Defense Intelligence, the unit carried out coordinated attacks that eliminated the Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile system, one of russia's short-range air defense platforms commonly used to counter drones and cruise missiles. The system's destruction removes a crucial protective layer for russian forces, particularly at a time when Ukrainian unmanned aerial operations are increasing in range and frequency.
Read more: Ukrainian Forces Strike russian Military Railway Convoys in Zaporizhzhia
In addition to neutralizing the Tor-M1 system, the Primary unit struck the 55K6 command post, part of russia's S-400 long-range air defense system. The 55K6 posy is responsible for managing radar input, tracking airborne targets, and coordinating missile launches, meaning its loss temporarily disrupts the operational functionality of any associated S-400 battery.
The special unit also destroyed the 9S18M1-3 radar station belonging to the Buk-M3 system, russia's modernized medium-range air defense complex. This radar, known as Kupol, is essential for detecting and tracking aerial targets at medium altitudes. Without it, the associated Buk battery becomes blind, significantly reducing russian ability to respond to Ukrainian air operations in the sector.
These three systems, Tor, S-400 elements, and Buk-M3 radar, represent different layers of russia's supposedly integrated air defense network. Their simultaneous degradation across two weeks suggests a deliberate Ukrainian effort to systematically erode russian air defenses in the temporarily occupied Donbas.
Each strike carries both tactical and operational importance, reducing russian capacity to detect and repel drones, missiles, and aircraft.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian aviation continues to dismantle key logistics routes of russian forces across multiple sectors of the front, with Zaporizhzhia becoming one of the latest areas to witness a precise and impactful strike.
The Ukrainian Air Force is intensifying its efforts to disrupt the enemy's transport infrastructure, targeting bridges, supply roads, and critical nodes used to move weapons and equipment.
Read more: Precision GBU-62 Strike Dismantles russian Supply Route in Zaporizhzhia (Video)
