Ukrainian drone Forces destroy six Russian air defence systems in two days – video
Units of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) carried out a successful series of strikes on Russian air defence positions deep in the rear of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories between 12 and 14 January 2026.
According to USF commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, over the course of two days, Ukrainian forces neutralised six high-value surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) and radar stations. The strikes were carried out using “middle strike” drones at distances ranging from 46 to 160 kilometres from the frontline, enabling attacks on targets previously considered well-protected in the enemy’s rear.
The operation targeted key elements of Russia’s layered air defence network in the Mariupol, Volnovakha, and Polohy districts. In Mariupol district, a Tor SAM system and the rare Vityaz 50N6E radar, part of the modern S-350 system, were destroyed. In Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, the strikes took out two Buk systems (including a Buk-M1), a Strela-10 SAM, and a modernised Tor-M2. Using drones with warheads exceeding 10 kilograms allowed complete destruction of the equipment, leaving it beyond repair.
The missions were executed by crews from the 412th Separate USF Brigade “Nemesis” (including the Asgard Battalion) in close coordination with the newly established Deep Strike Centre of the USF Grouping. The elimination of the Strela-10 system also involved pilots from the 413th USF Regiment “Raid”. Systematic destruction of Russian SAM assets significantly weakens Moscow’s ability to protect command posts and logistics hubs, opening new opportunities for Ukrainian aviation and long-range artillery in the southern and eastern operational directions.
Earlier, Ukrainian drone forces had also destroyed a Vityaz radar of the S-350 SAM system in Donetsk on 1 January, depriving the enemy of one of its key air defence components.
Satellite imagery has confirmed that Ukrainian drones struck a Russian ammunition depot in temporarily occupied Crimea at the beginning of 2026.
