Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces successfully struck critical russian radar site near temporarily occupied town of Mayak in Crimea during the night of July 1-2. The target was russian Nebo-M radar system, including components from the 1L119 Nebo-SVU and 59N6-E Opponent-GE radar systems, both vital to russia's long-range air defense network.
The attack specifically damaged three elements: the RLM-M meter-band radar module, the RLM-D decimeter-band module, and the KU-RLK control station. These components serve as early-warning and tracking systems for detecting aircraft and incoming missiles at various altitudes and ranges. Their degradation may significantly reduce the effectiveness of local russian air surveillance.
Read more: The Defense Forces of Ukraine Neutralized russian Three Nebo-M Radars in Temporarily Occupied Crimea
Strikingly, the radar was hit using the Baba Yaga quadcopter-type bomber drone, launched from an unknown marine drone. Footage of the launch shows the drone carrying three aerial munitions and equipped with a self-destruct mechanism, likely to avoid recovery or reverse engineering.
Initial observations suggest these drones may be radio-controlled via mid-frequency bands (700–900 MHz) rather than satellite links. A grey antenna-like module visible on the drone supports this theory. If confirmed, it means the marine drone not only carried the bombers into range but also served as a radio repeater, enhancing control and signal stability during the mission.
Photos from June 29 showed a drone visually identical to the one used in this attack crash-landing near the same area, with local sources reporting self-destruction about 15 minutes after the fall.
This strike also confirms that the Southern Defense Forces now possess sea drones, making them the fourth Ukrainian structure with such assets, after the Security Service, Defense Intelligence, and Navy. The marine drone seen in this operation does not match any known domestic models, implying the introduction of a new class of naval unmanned systems.
Read more: New Footage Reveals the Destruction of russian Pantsir-S1 System, Niobiy-SV Radar, and Su-30 Jet by Ukrainian Bober Drones
