On the night of February 22, 2026, Ukrainian unmanned systems units carried out a coordinated strike targeting russian air defense assets and logistical infrastructure in temporarily occupied territories of the east of Ukraine. According to the report, two Tor surface-to-air missile systems were disabled in separate operations near Donetsk and Mariupol, while a fuel depot in Luhansk was also struck.
The first Tor system was detected and engaged approximately one kilometer from Donetsk. The second was targeted near the settlement of Topolyne in Mariupol district, both locations currently under russian control.
Read more: Ukrainian Air Force Shows How It Repelled russia's Combined Night Attack on February 22 (Video)
The operations were conducted by pilots of the 6th Battalion of the 414th Brigade and the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces, under coordination from the Middle Strike Coordination Center.
The Tor-M1 is a short-range air defense system designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and certain types of precision-guided munitions. It plays a critical role in layered air defense architecture, particularly in protecting tactical formations and key rear-area facilities from aerial threats. Disabling such systems reduces the density and responsiveness of russian air defense coverage in contested sectors.
In addition to the air defense strikes, Ukrainian drone operators targeted a fuel storage facility in Luhansk. Although specific damage assessments were not provided, attacks on fuel depots can have cascading operational consequences, limiting the enemy's ability to sustain mechanized operations, power generators, and maintain logistical flows to frontline units.
The operations reflect an ongoing Ukrainian strategy of systematically identifying and dismantling components of russian integrated air defense systems across long-, medium-, and short-range categories. By degrading these assets, Ukrainian forces aim to open corridors for further drone and missile strikes, while also complicating russian efforts to protect command posts, ammunition depots, and supply hubs.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces have carried out a coordinated strike against three russian Tor surface-to-air missile systems in the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region, marking another focused effort to dismantle enemy air defenses.
The operation was confirmed by Major Robert Madyar Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, who described the mission as a methodical targeting of critical components of russia's air defense network.
Read more: $75 Million in One Night: Ukrainian FP-2 Drone With 60 kg Warhead Wipes Out Three russian Tor Systems (Video)
