Category
Latest news

Ukrainian Drones Destroy Russian “Zaslon” Naval Radar on Wheels in First-Ever Strike, Video

2 min read
Authors
Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
AUTHOR
Ukrainian Drones Destroy Russian “Zaslon” Naval Radar on Wheels in First-Ever Strike, Video
Ukrainian drone strike targets Russia’s rare Zaslon radar system mounted on a wheeled chassis, May 5, 2025. (Source: 413th Battalion of Unmanned Systems of Ukraine)

Ukraine has recorded the first confirmed destruction of Russia’s advanced “Zaslon” radar system, originally designed for naval use but recently deployed on land.

The strike was carried out by drone operators of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems, who located and eliminated the radar despite its non-standard wheel-mounted configuration.

The system had previously never been hit during the full-scale war, according to the 413th Battalion of Unmanned Systems of Ukraine on May 5. The location of the strike was not disclosed.

Russia had removed the radar from a corvette-class ship and mounted it on a wheeled platform, presumably to support ground-based air defense or command operations.

Despite its low-profile appearance, the radar was a significant target: capable of detecting aerial and surface threats at ranges up to 300 kilometers and simultaneously tracking up to 200 objects.

What is the “Zaslon” radar system?

Zaslon is a multi-function, three-coordinate naval radar complex developed by Russia for corvette-class warships. Designed to serve as the core of a ship’s sensor and command suite, it provides early detection, target classification, electronic warfare capabilities, and fire control integration.

Concept image of a Russian warship equipped with the “Zaslon” multifunction radar system, showing the integrated mast and sensor modules. (Source: Russian media)
Concept image of a Russian warship equipped with the “Zaslon” multifunction radar system, showing the integrated mast and sensor modules. (Source: Russian media)

Key functions:

  • Detects and tracks air and surface targets, including low-flying and small-sized objects.

  • Issues targeting data to missile and artillery systems.

  • Monitors electronic emissions and deploys active or passive countermeasures.

  • Supports aircraft operations and simulates combat scenarios for crew training.

Technical specifications:

  • Detection range: Up to 300 km (surface targets), up to 75 km (aerial targets with ≥1m² RCS)

  • Simultaneous tracking: Up to 200 targets (active), over 100 targets (passive)

  • Coverage: 360° azimuth, up to 60° elevation

  • Frequency bands: X, S, L, C, Ku

  • Jamming capabilities: Active jamming in X and Ku bands across full azimuth

“Zaslon” was designed to replace earlier systems such as the “Furke-2,” which lacked the capability to guide medium- and long-range missiles. Its modular architecture is integrated into the tower-mast structures of warships, making its appearance on land a notable departure from standard deployment.

With this successful strike, Ukrainian forces have neutralized a system valued at over $50 million.

Earlier, on April 4, Ukraine’s Shadow 59 unit released footage showing a successful drone strike on Russia’s rare Tirada-2 electronic warfare system, reportedly hidden in a treeline but detected by aerial surveillance.

See all