(ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian drone units reported the destruction of two Russian air defence systems on 31 December during operations on the southern front of the war, according to information released by Ukrainian military sources.
The strikes were carried out by drone operators from the Asgard battalion of the 412 Nemesis Brigade. Ukrainian officials said the attacks took place on the Huliaipole and Orikhiv directions, where Russian forces have deployed air defence assets to protect their positions.
According to the statement, the two systems destroyed within the space of one hour were a BUK medium range surface to air missile system and a TOR short range air defence system. Both systems are considered high value assets within Russia’s layered air defence network.
Ukrainian sources said the Russian military has deployed large numbers of such systems along the front, where they pose a challenge to Ukrainian air operations and drone activity. Despite their presence, Ukrainian forces reported that the systems were successfully identified and destroyed in rapid succession.
The Ukrainian military described the strikes as part of ongoing efforts to degrade Russian air defence coverage and limit the ability of Russian forces to operate freely in contested areas.
