(DONETSK AND ZAPORIZHZHIA REGIONS) – Ukraine has released video evidence showing a series of drone strikes against Russian air defence systems in occupied parts of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, with six surface to air missile systems and radars reportedly hit within a 48 hour period.
According to the footage shared by Ukrainian sources, the strikes targeted a mix of short range and medium range Russian air defence assets, highlighting continued pressure on Russia’s ability to protect key military positions. The systems affected include a Strela 10, two Tor M2 systems, two Buk systems including Buk M1 and Buk M2 variants, and a 50N6E radar associated with the more modern S 350 air defence system.
One video shows a Ukrainian drone approaching a Strela 10 short range air defence vehicle. The system appears to detect the drone shortly before impact, as its missile tubes begin to move, suggesting an attempted response. The drone strike hit a critical area of the vehicle. While the available footage does not clearly confirm complete destruction, the impact indicates damage to a key operational component of the system.
The Strela 10 is an older short range air defence platform with a reported detection range of up to 10 kilometres. Russia is estimated to have had around 300 Strela 10 units at the start of its full scale invasion of Ukraine. Independent open source analysts have visually confirmed the loss of at least 56 of these systems so far, indicating a steady reduction in their availability.
A second compilation video released by Ukraine shows five additional strikes, all said to have taken place within the same 48 hour window. One of the first targets shown is a Tor M2 system, which appears to be active at the time of the strike, with its radar rotating. The drone hits the rear of the vehicle. The Tor M2 is a more modern short range system than the Strela 10, but Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted it during the war.
The most strategically significant strike in the footage appears to be against a 50N6E radar belonging to an S 350 air defence battery. The radar was reportedly located inside a protective shelter when it was hit. Damage to such a radar can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the entire S 350 system, which is designed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles and drones. The S 350 remains a relatively rare system on the Ukrainian battlefield, and confirmed losses have been limited so far.
The video also shows two separate strikes on Buk systems, which form the backbone of Russia’s medium range air defence network. One Buk appears to have been concealed using camouflage netting and vegetation, while another was positioned within a makeshift protective structure. Ukrainian drones were able to locate and strike both targets. Russia is estimated to have had around 310 Buk systems in service at the start of the war, with at least 130 losses visually confirmed by independent analysts, a figure that is widely believed to be conservative.
The final strike in the compilation targets another Tor system positioned near additional military equipment and personnel. No follow up footage is available to confirm whether the system was completely destroyed or severely damaged. However, Ukrainian sources describe all six strikes as successful hits.
All of the systems shown were reportedly located in occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia region, although precise geolocation details were not disclosed. As with previous Ukrainian releases, Russia has not independently confirmed the losses and typically claims that incoming drones are intercepted.
Military analysts note that sustained losses of air defence systems have created gaps in Russia’s protective coverage, making logistics hubs, command posts and supply routes more vulnerable. These developments come as the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues the invasion of Ukraine, while Kyiv relies increasingly on domestically produced and adapted drones to counter Russia’s numerical advantages in equipment.
