Multi-Million Dollar Russian 9S32M1 Radar vs. One Ukrainian Drone—Guess Who Won

A Ukrainian drone operated by the 412th NEMESIS Brigade has reportedly struck and disabled a rare Russian radar system, the 9S32M1, which forms a core component of the S-300V surface-to-air missile system.

The strike occurred on January 5 in the Donetsk region and was confirmed by Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, according to his official statement published on social media.

The 9S32M1 radar was targeted using a medium-range strike drone of an undisclosed model, reportedly operated by specialists from the 412th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems.

Video footage shows the drone hitting the radar’s antenna module, a direct strike that likely rendered the system inoperable.

According to Brovdi, the 9S32M1 is “a key component of the S-300V system, responsible for guiding up to 12 surface-to-air missiles at six targets simultaneously.” He noted that the system had been deployed for the protection of strategic military infrastructure.

While the extent of damage to the radar’s chassis and crew remains unknown, the impact on the radar’s antenna structure suggests a total operational failure. The exact specifications of the drone’s warhead were not disclosed, making it difficult to assess further consequences.

The 9S32M1 is a three-coordinate, multi-channel missile guidance radar operating in the centimeter wavelength range. It uses a phased-array antenna that enables electronic beam steering, eliminating the need for mechanical rotation and significantly enhancing reaction time and survivability.

The radar conducts sectoral airspace searches and target tracking either autonomously or with external target acquisition data. It is designed to simultaneously control the engagement of multiple targets by coordinating with several S-300V launch and reload vehicles.

The 9S32M1 is capable of guiding 12 missiles toward six airborne targets at once. It can reportedly detect fighter-sized objects at distances of up to 150 kilometers, assuming a target altitude of at least 5 kilometers.

Earlier, Ukrainian military intelligence reported the destruction of a Russian Buk‑M3 air defense system in the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region. The strike was carried out on December 6 by operators from the HUR’s “Prymary” special unit near the village of Sviatotroitske, with footage of the operation later released by the agency.

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