Ukraine Hit Three Banderol Missile-Carrying Orion Drones in Occupied Crimea

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) said they struck more than 60 Russian targets overnight on June 23, including air defense systems, fuel infrastructure, logistics assets, and three Orion reconnaissance-strike drones in temporarily occupied Crimea.

According to statements published by SBS Commander Maj. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi on June 23, the operation targeted military and infrastructure sites across occupied Crimea as well as Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

In a message accompanying footage of the strikes, Brovdi stated: “The night of June 23 was eventful in Crimea. SBS drone units operated deep behind enemy lines, engaging more than 60 sensitive enemy targets using medium-range drones alone.”

According to Brovdi, the reported targets included four air defense systems, fuel storage facilities in Kerch, a gas distribution station, an electrical substation, fuel trucks, and other logistics assets.

The commander also said that three Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicles were hit in Kerch. According to Defense Express on June 23, footage released by SBS appears to show strikes against three Orion drones at an airfield in occupied Crimea, including one aircraft positioned on a taxiway and two parked on the ground.

According to Defense Express, the Orion is currently the only known carrier of Russia’s S8000 “Banderol” cruise missile, which Ukrainian military intelligence previously described as having a range of up to 500 kilometers and a warhead weighing up to 150 kilograms.

The outlet noted that destroying Orion platforms could reduce Russia’s ability to deploy the weapon. According to Defense Express, Russian plans reportedly include integrating the missile onto Mi-28 attack helicopters in the future.

Additional targets listed by SBS included a Pantsir-S1 air defense system near Bagerove, an S-300 launcher and a ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun near Kurortne, and a Nebo-U radar station in Kerch. The force also reported strikes on the West Crimea electrical substation near Karierne and the Simferopol gas distribution station in Trudove.

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War in Ukraine

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Outside Crimea, SBS said it targeted a drone operator training ground used by Russia’s 4th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade near Debaltseve, fuel tankers in Horlivka, and military transport vehicles operating in occupied territories.

The reported strikes follow a series of Ukrainian long-range drone operations targeting military logistics, fuel infrastructure, and air defense assets in occupied Crimea in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that disrupting Russian supply routes and reducing the effectiveness of air defense systems on the peninsula remains a key objective of ongoing operations.

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