(NOVE, ZAPORIZHZHIA) – A Russian Pantsir S1 air defence system was confirmed destroyed near Melitopol following a precision strike by a Ukrainian manufactured drone carrying a 100 kilogram warhead. Images of the incinerated complex, located near the village of Nove in the Zaporizhzhia region, were circulated by various sources on 6 March 2026. According to open source intelligence analysts, the strike occurred several kilometres from Melitopol after the unmanned aerial vehicle traversed approximately 90 kilometres to reach the target.
Robert Brovdi, the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, confirmed that the operation was executed by pilots from the 1st Centre using a middle strike FP-2 drone. The commander stated that the Ukrainian produced aircraft successfully neutralised the anti aircraft missile and gun system, resulting in the radar being severed and the complete destruction of both the launcher and the transport vehicle. The FP-2 is manufactured by the Ukrainian firm Fire Point and is based on the design of the long range FP-1 drone, which is typically utilised for deep strikes against Russian rear positions.
The FP-2 platform features advanced capabilities including autonomous guidance systems for stationary targets as well as manual radio control for engaging moving assets. Technical specifications reveal that at least one variant of the drone utilizes an adapted OFAB 100 110 TU aerial bomb weighing 121 kilograms.
Fire Point is currently developing enhancements to extend the operational range of the FP-2 beyond its current 200 kilometre limit. This latest loss for the Russian occupation forces follows reports from late 2025 indicating that the Ukrainian Defence Forces had already eliminated 48 per cent of the total Russian Pantsir S1 inventory.
