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Ukraine Blinds Russian Air Defense in Crimea, Destroying Four Rare Radar Systems
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Ukraine conducted a series of drone strikes targeting Russian radar systems in temporary occupied Crimea and elements of a command post in the Donetsk region, according to statements released by the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on March 9.
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According to the SSO, the operation targeted several high-value military assets used by Russian forces to monitor Ukrainian air activity and coordinate battlefield operations.
Ukrainian operators struck four radar installations in Crimea, including the 5N84A “Oborona-14” early-warning radar and the 55Zh6U “Nebo-U” mobile radar complex.
In a statement published on its official social media channels, the SSO said that Ukrainian forces also destroyed two additional radar stations located inside specialized radomes near the occupied city of Yevpatoria.
The military explained that these protective structures allow radar antennas to rotate freely while concealing the orientation of their emitters from visual reconnaissance.
“Radomes allow the antenna to rotate in any direction while hiding its orientation,” the SSO said in the statement. “The destruction of enemy radar systems significantly undermines the enemy’s ability to detect and destroy aerial targets.”
The operation was carried out using medium-range strike drones, which were deployed against radar installations considered critical elements of Russia’s integrated air defense network on the peninsula.
According to Ukrainian military information, the 5N84A “Oborona-14” radar—an upgraded version of the Soviet P-14 “Lena” system—is designed for long-range airspace surveillance. The system can detect aerial targets at distances of up to 400 kilometers at high altitudes and around 120 kilometers at altitudes near 500 meters.
The 55Zh6U “Nebo-U” radar complex is intended to detect a wide range of aerial threats, including low-observable aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. The system reportedly has a detection range of up to 700 kilometers for fighter-sized targets at high altitude, while objects flying at low altitude can be detected at distances of approximately 60–70 kilometers.
Parallel to the strikes in Crimea, Ukrainian special forces targeted a Russian command infrastructure site in the occupied settlement of Zachativka in the Donetsk region, according to the SSO statement. The attack reportedly damaged an element of the command post of a Russian naval infantry brigade, disrupting coordination of units operating in the area.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system and a BK-16 high-speed assault boat near the settlement of Novoozerne in occupied Crimea, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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