Ukrainian Air Force successfully targeted and destroyed a russian surface-to-air missile system during a recent combat mission. The strike was executed in support of a broader fighter operation.
The attack centered around a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet, which launched the AGM-88 HARM at the russian air defense system. The HARM missile, designed specifically to home in on enemy radar emissions, struck with deadly accuracy, resulting in the detonation of the SAM system's ammunition stores.
Read more: The Phoenix Unit Strikes Again: Ukrainian Border Guards Crush russian BM-21 Grad System, Artillery, and Vehicles (Video)
Ukrainian Su-27 of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade successfully engaged and destroyed a Russian surface-to-air missile system (SAM) using an HARM missile. The strike occurred while the aircraft was performing an escort role for a strike group. https://t.co/VEREqXzdhMP.S:… pic.twitter.com/I3cvLUUnDH — Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 2, 2025
This precision strike was carried out by a pilot from the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, a unit with a proven track record in Ukraine's defense against russian aggression. The operation was part of a larger air mission, during which Ukrainian fighters maneuvered under the cover provided by the electronic warfare and suppression efforts.
The AGM-88 HARM missile, supplied by Western allies, has become a vital tool for the Ukrainian Air Force. By targeting enemy radar and missile systems, it allows Ukrainian pilots to operate with greater freedom in contested airspace and reduce the threat posed by russian long-range air defenses.
Destroying russian SAM system not only protects Ukrainian pilots in real time but also has long-term implications for battlefield mobility and the planning of future operations. Each successful suppression mission contributes to a broader strategy of degrading russia's ability to control the skies.
As Defense Express previously reported, in a recent combat update from the Phoenix unit have released new footage highlighting their latest successful drone strikes. The operations took place in the Kramatorsk direction, a hotly contested axis in the east of Ukraine.
The video shows the destruction of multiple high-value enemy targets, emphasizing the growing role of drone warfare in Ukraine's tactical operations. Among the destroyed assets are enemy infantry units, the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher system, one anti-aircraft gun, one armored vehicle, and a military truck. Each of these assets represents both a battlefield threat and a logistical burden for russian forces.
Read more: $24M Zoopark-1 Radar System Becomes Scrap Metal in Ukrainian Drone Attack (Video)
