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Ukraine Lands $28 Million Blow Destroying Rare Russian Zoopark Radar and Rocket Systems
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Operators from Ukraine’s border guard unit “Phoenix” destroyed an estimated $28 million worth of Russian military equipment in a single night along the Huliaipole direction, the unit said on April 6.
According to the report, during the night of April 4–5 in the Zaporizhzhia region, drone pilots identified and struck three multiple launch rocket systems, including two BM-21 Grad systems and one BM-27 Uragan. The strike also destroyed a rare Zoopark counterbattery radar system.
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The unit noted that these high-value targets were eliminated in addition to routine strikes carried out by Phoenix operators, who conduct continuous operations along the front.
The destruction of the Zoopark radar stands out as a particularly significant loss. The system is considered a high-value asset and is rarely targeted due to its limited numbers. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, only around 15 such systems have been confirmed destroyed or damaged.
Pilots of @DPSU_ua “Phoenix” unit detected and destroyed an extremely rare target — a Zoopark radar system. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, up to 15 units of this equipment have been hit.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 6, 2026
In addition, two Grad systems and one Uragan system were destroyed. The total… pic.twitter.com/mjT6SNYGOW
The BM-21 Grad is a widely used Soviet-designed rocket system capable of launching up to 40 rockets in about 20 seconds, with a range of up to 40 kilometers depending on the ammunition used. Its mobility allows crews to quickly relocate after firing to avoid counterbattery fire.
The BM-27 Uragan, a heavier 220 mm system introduced in the 1970s, offers improved accuracy and a wider range of munitions, including high-explosive and mine-laying rockets.
The Zoopark-1M radar, meanwhile, plays a critical role in counterbattery warfare. It is designed to detect incoming artillery, mortar, and rocket fire by calculating trajectories and identifying launch positions, enabling rapid retaliatory strikes.
Mounted on a tracked chassis, the system can detect artillery fire at ranges of up to 23 kilometers and rocket launches at distances of up to 45 kilometers. It is capable of tracking dozens of targets simultaneously in real time.
Due to its advanced capabilities and relatively limited availability, the Zoopark-1M is estimated to cost approximately $24–25 million per unit.
The reported strike highlights the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian drone operations in targeting high-value Russian systems, particularly those critical to artillery coordination and battlefield awareness.
Earlier, Ukrainian drone operators destroyed a full battery of Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems on the Pokrovsk axis, in what appears to be a coordinated strike involving multiple units.
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-262faae4d455eedee837a1284ad92b72.png "Russian automated mortar module during tests, April 2026. (Source: NRTK)")
