Ukraine Cripples Russian Surveillance—Drone Lab Wiped Out, Nebo-M and Podlyot Radars Hit

Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a series of precision strikes targeting Russian drone infrastructure and air defense systems across both occupied Ukrainian territory and regions inside Russia, according to a statement released on April 17.

Among the confirmed hits was a drone laboratory destroyed on April 9 near Orlynske in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The facility was reportedly involved in supporting unmanned aerial operations.

Additional strikes were carried out in Russia in the following days. On April 16, Ukrainian forces hit a Nebo-M radar station in the town of Chernovets in Russia’s Belgorod region. A day earlier, on April 15, another radar system—identified as the Podlyot station—was struck near Novomaryivka in Russia’s Rostov region.

The General Staff noted that the full extent of the damage and enemy losses is still being assessed.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces said operations aimed at degrading Russia’s military capabilities will continue as part of broader efforts to counter the ongoing war.

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War in Ukraine

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The Nebo-M radar system is a mobile, multi-band detection complex designed to track both aerodynamic and ballistic targets at medium and high altitudes. It is capable of detecting low-observable targets, including those designed with stealth features, and can monitor up to 200 targets simultaneously at distances of up to 600 kilometers.

The Podlyot radar, by contrast, is optimized for detecting aerial threats at low and extremely low altitudes. It uses phased-array technology to provide 360-degree coverage in complex electronic warfare environments and can track targets moving at speeds of up to 4,400 km/h, with a detection range of up to 300 kilometers, depending on operational mode.

Earlier, Ukrainian drone operators destroyed a Russian Tor-M1 air defense system in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region after an engagement in which the system shot down two incoming drones before being overwhelmed.

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