Ukrainian Drones Destroy Two Russian Air Defence Systems in Occupied Territories

(NOVOOLEKSANDRIVKA, DONETSK OBLAST / MELITOPOL, ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST) – Ukrainian unmanned systems units have destroyed two additional Russian air defence elements in occupied territories of eastern and southern Ukraine between 19 and 20 April, according to material released on 20 April by Ukrainian military-linked sources.

The latest strikes reportedly targeted the 17th and 18th air defence components eliminated during the period, highlighting continued Ukrainian efforts to degrade Russian aerial protection systems in temporarily occupied territories.

One of the systems destroyed was a radar component of the S-350 Vityaz surface to air missile system. The radar is a core element used for detecting aerial targets, tracking them, and guiding missiles. Ukrainian operators from Unit 13 of the 414th Brigade, known as “Magyar’s Birds”, identified and struck the system during a night operation on 20 April near the settlement of Novooleksandrivka in occupied Donetsk Oblast.

In a separate operation the same night, Ukrainian drone units from the 1st Centre of the Unmanned Systems Forces struck and destroyed a Tor M2KM air defence system near Melitopol in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Tor M2KM is a modular short range system originally designed for naval use but adapted for ground deployment.

Ukrainian sources indicated that the appearance of such systems in land based roles may reflect growing pressure on Russian air defence resources, with more varied equipment being deployed to compensate for losses.

The footage and operational details were released by Ukrainian unmanned systems units, including the 414th Brigade “Magyar’s Birds” and the Unmanned Systems Forces, with the engagements reported in Novooleksandrivka, Donetsk Oblast, and near Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.