A key component of russian S-300V air defense system was destroyed in Donetsk region on January 5, 2026, marking another significant loss for russian air defense capabilities near the front line. The target was the 9S32 engagement radar, often described by Ukrainian operators as the "brain" of the entire system.
The strike was carried out by UAV operators of the Nemesis 412th Brigade. According to available information, so-called middle strike capability was used, indicating a precision attack conducted at a depth beyond immediate frontline positions but still within the tactical zone.
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The S-300V is a Soviet-era surface-to-air missile system originally designed to protect critical military facilities and large troop formations. Unlike more common variants of the S-300 family, S-300V is a self-propelled system with both anti-aircraft and limited anti-missile capabilities, intended to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, and certain types of ballistic threats.
The destroyed 9S32 radar plays a central role within the S-300V system. It serves not only as a target detection and tracking radar but also as the missile guidance station, capable of simultaneously guiding up to 12 guided missiles against six different aerial targets. Without this radar, the entire battery effectively loses its combat functionality.
In practical terms, the loss of the 9S32 radar renders the remaining launchers and support vehicles largely useless until the radar is replaced. Given the complexity, cost, and limited availability of such components, restoring a destroyed S-300V unit is neither quick nor easy for russian forces.
As Defense Express previously reported, the Ukrainian Air Force pilot has shared insights into how F-16 has become not merely a new aircraft type, but a strategic tool in the defense of Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. His account, published by the Air Force, highlights the growing operational impact of the fighter amid constant russian aerial threats.
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