Ukrainian drone operators continue to target russian air defense systems, with a new strike reported by the 422nd Regiment. Footage released on March 20 shows the destruction of russian short-range air defense system positioned in an open field.
According to the unit, the target was the Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile system, which was spotted standing on a concealed position inside a tree line. The video reportedly captures the moment the system was struck by Ukrainian attack drone.
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Despite being specifically designed to intercept aerial threats, the Tor-M1 system was unable to react in time. The appearance of a low-flying strike drone appears to have caught the crew off guard, highlighting the growing difficulty russian air defenses face against small, fast FPV-type systems.
The strike itself appears precise and deliberate. The footage shows the drone approaching the launcher before a direct hit triggers a powerful explosion, followed by a large plume of smoke rising from the position. The damage suggests the system was either destroyed or rendered completely inoperable.
The loss of the Tor-M1 system is tactically significant. These systems are designed to protect russian units from aircraft, helicopters, and drones, particularly near the front line. When such air defense assets are eliminated, other russian equipment in the area becomes more vulnerable to further drone and artillery strikes.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian drone operators continue to systematically degrade russian firepower along the northeastern front, with new strikes reported on the Belgorod axis and in border areas of Kharkiv region. Units of the Achilles 429th Brigade have targeted a range of high-value assets, underscoring the expanding role of drones in shaping battlefield dynamics.
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