russian forces have covered one of their Voronezh-DM over-the-horizon radar systems with anti-drone nets, apparently to protect it from long-range Ukrainian UAV strikes. The radar is located at the former Dunayevka airfield in russia's Kaliningrad region, according to satellite imagery that has emerged on social media.
The facility is strategically important. The Voronezh-DM is reportedly capable of detecting targets at ranges of up to 6,000 km and forms part of russia's early-warning system for detecting a potential missile attack.
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The development is particularly notable because Ukrainian forces damaged one of russia's 10 Voronezh-family over-the-horizon radars in May 2024. In that case, the target was another Voronezh-DM system located near Armavir in russia's Krasnodar Krai.
It remains unclear whether russia has restored the Armavir Voronezh-DM to operational service following the 2024 strike. No reliable information on its current status is publicly available.
Based on publicly available coverage maps for the Voronezh radar family, the Voronezh-DM in russia's Kaliningrad region reportedly has a field of view stretching from Italy to the Atlantic Ocean.
The "DM" designation indicates that the radar operates in the decimeter wavelength band. russian sources claim that it can track up to 500 targets simultaneously, including cruise and ballistic missiles as well as "space objects."
The decision to protect the Kaliningrad Voronezh-DM with anti-drone nets could simply be a precaution against potential Ukrainian long-range UAV strikes. However, it could also be viewed as a precautionary measure in case the Kremlin eventually decides to open a "second front" in Europe.
Ivan Kyrychevskiy, serviceman of the 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine and weapons expert at Defense Express.
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