Ukraine's air defenders marked the Day of the Armed Forces with a significant success, shooting down russian Kalibr cruise missile during an enemy air strike on December 6, 2025. The interception was carried out by the crew of the Hawk surface-to-air missile system, underscoring the continued importance of Western-supplied air defense capabilities in countering russian long-range attacks.
The 208th Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade reported the incident on its official Facebook page, releasing video evidence of the engagement. According to the unit, the missile was intercepted in the course of routine defensive operations as russia attempted another complex air assault on Ukrainian territory.
Read more: Ukraine's Prymary Unit Destroys russian Buk Air Defense System in Zaporizhzhia Region (Video)
One of the servicemen featured in the video serves in the Hawk system's combat crew. His responsibilities include tracking, acquiring, and maintaining lock on hostile aerial targets, a task that requires rapid decision-making and precise technical coordination under extreme pressure.
The footage shows Ukrainian fighter performing these duties moments before the system launches a missile to destroy the incoming Kalibr missile. The successful intercept highlights the professionalism of Ukrainian air defense operators, who have adapted legacy and donated systems into a cohesive nationwide shield.
This shootdown marks the 18th enemy target destroyed by this particular Hawk unit, a notable record that reflects both the intensity of russian air attacks and the growing experience of Ukrainian crews. The repeated successes of the system demonstrate how legacy Western platforms, when properly integrated, can meaningfully contribute to Ukraine's layered air defense.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian border guards from the Stalevyi Kordon Detachment have carried out a precise series of drone strikes against russian positions on the Kursk axis, neutralizing a concealed enemy tank and several fortified targets.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine released footage of the operation on December 7, highlighting another example of how Ukrainian drone units continue to dominate in localized engagements.
Read more: Ukraine's Vampire UAV Team Destroy Hidden russian Tank and Fortified Positions on the Kursk Axis (Video)
