Ukrainian drone operators from the Spartan Brigade have destroyed two russian S-300 surface-to-air missile launchers deployed near the city of Volnovakha, eliminating systems that have also been used to strike frontline communities in Donetsk region.
Footage of the operation was released by the brigade on June 26, showing operators from the Black Sky UAV Battalion locating and engaging the air defense systems positioned near the Donetsk-Mariupol highway. The launchers had reportedly been deployed to support russian operations in the area.
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According to the brigade, the strike targeted two launch vehicles belonging to the S-300 air defense system. While S-300 system was originally designed to intercept aircraft and missiles, russian forces have repeatedly repurposed the system in a surface-to-surface role, launching missiles against ground targets in Ukrainian frontline cities.
The Spartan Brigade estimated the value of the destroyed equipment at approximately $50 million. Although the financial loss is considerable, Ukrainian military officials emphasized that the operational impact of eliminating the launchers is even more important.
As df previously reported, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces launched a coordinated overnight operation against 38 russian military and infrastructure targets in Crimea, hitting radar stations, energy facilities, logistics hubs, and air defense assets.
Read more: Ukrainian Drone Forces Strike 38 russian Targets Across Crimea (Video)
