Ukraine Strikes Russia’s High-Tech RSP-28ME Airfield Radar System at Belbek Air Base

A Ukrainian drone strike reportedly damaged components of Russia’s RSP-28ME aircraft landing radar system at the Russian-controlled Belbek air base in temporarily occupied Crimea during the night of May 16–17, according to images published by the Telegram channel Dosye Shpiona on May 20.

The published photos appear to show damage to several components of the RSP-28ME landing radar complex, including the DRL-27SE air traffic control radar module and a command module mounted on a KamAZ-6350 military truck.

According to the published images, Russian forces had attempted to protect parts of the system using anti-drone netting structures positioned around the equipment.

The RSP-28ME is a Russian mobile radar landing system designed to manage aircraft movements near operational airfields and assist pilots during landing procedures. The complex is intended to provide radar guidance during approach, monitor flight trajectories, and support aircraft alignment with glide path and runway course parameters.

Russia began supplying the RSP-28ME system to its armed forces in 2021. The system reportedly requires a crew of three operators.

According to publicly available Russian technical descriptions cited by Russian media, the RSP-28ME complex includes several components: the DRL-27SE dispatch radar module, PRL-27SE or PRL-27SM landing radar modules, an automatic radio direction finder, a command and control module, and a diesel power station.

Belbek air base has repeatedly been targeted during Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign against Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea. The airfield is used by Russian military aviation and has previously been linked to the deployment of fighter aircraft and air defense assets.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces released footage showing FP-2 strike drones launching unguided aircraft rockets during attacks on a Russian Black Sea Fleet communications facility near Myrne in occupied Crimea. The drones reportedly targeted antenna systems and radio infrastructure linked to the fleet’s command network.

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