Ukraine Destroys Six Russian Air Defense Assets in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions in 48 Hours

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed six Russian air defense systems and radar units within 48 hours in temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

According to the statement by Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi on January 14, the strikes were carried out using middle-strike capabilities in the operational depth of Russian defenses between January 12 and 14, 2026. The attacks targeted key elements of Russia’s layered air defense network deep behind the front line.

The strikes eliminated a Tor surface-to-air missile system and a Vityaz 50N6E radar station in the Mariupol district of Donetsk region, along with multiple air defense assets elsewhere on the occupied territories. These included a Buk system in the Polohy district of Zaporizhzhia region, a Buk-M1 in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region, as well as a Strela-10 and a Tor-M2 system, both also located in the Polohy district.

Most of the strikes were conducted by units of the 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade “Nemesis” in coordination with the newly established Deep Strike Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces. Separately, the Strela-10 system was hit by operators from the 413th Unmanned Systems Brigade “Raid.”

The reported operational strike depth ranged from 46 to 160 kilometers from the line of contact. The attacks employed warheads weighing more than 10 kilograms, leaving no chance of combat survivability for these lightly armored but high-value air defense assets of the Russian occupying forces.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces foiled a Russian push on the Donetsk front and eliminated multiple pieces of enemy armored equipment.

The unit hit Russian tanks and armored vehicles, preventing occupying forces from advancing with planned assault operations against Ukrainian defensive lines.

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