ISW: Ukraine struck seven Russian air defense installations since Oct. 20
The strikes on 7 Russian radars and air defense systems could affect Russia’s ability to secure occupied territories, ISW says.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 2 November that Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck seven Russian radar and air defense systems across occupied territories since the night of 20-21 October, according to Russian sources. These attacks appear to include the use of ATACMS missiles and drones.
A Russian Telegram user, claiming to be connected to Russian special services, stated on 2 November that Ukrainian forces had launched six ATACMS missiles at a Russian S-300/400 air defense system near Mospyne, southeast of Donetsk City, with Russian defenses reportedly intercepting three of these missiles. The user noted that damage assessments on the system were still underway.
On 23 October, the same Telegram source claimed that Ukrainian forces had hit a Russian “Podlet” radar station near Cape Tarkhankut in occupied Crimea. The source alleged that Russian forces had yet to evacuate the damaged system for repairs.
Additionally, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck several Buk air defense systems. On 31 October, a Ukrainian unit posted video footage appearing to show a successful strike against a Russian Buk system, with visible secondary detonations that suggest significant damage.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on 25 October that a Buk-M3 air defense system was struck and the radar of a Buk-M2 system was destroyed in Luhansk Oblast on the night of 24-25 October.
Other attacks targeted Buk systems in southern Ukraine on 23 October and in an unspecified frontline area on 20-21 October.
Russian Osa air defense system destroyed by Ukrainian FPV in Kherson Oblast (video)
ISW has previously reported Russia’s challenges in sourcing microelectronic components for its advanced weaponry due to Western sanctions.
“Further degradation of Russia’s air defense umbrella, particularly over occupied Ukraine, may impact how close to the frontline Russian pilots are willing to operate and could limit Russia’s ability to effectively use glide bombs against both frontline areas and rear Ukrainian cities,” ISW concluded.
Related:
- Russian Osa air defense system destroyed by Ukrainian FPV in Kherson Oblast (video)
- Ukraine continues efforts to degrade Russian air defense capabilities, destroying Russia’s BUK and Tor systems (video)
- Ukrainian troops receive upgraded Buk-M1 air defense systems, using American RIM-7 missiles
- Media: SBU hits costly Russian long-range radar “Nebo-U” in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast
- Ukraine hits two radars in Russia’s Kursk Oblast
- Ukraine destroys Russia’s BUK surface-to-air missile launcher, damages two more radar-equipped launchers
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