Major Blow to Russian Air Defences in Crimea
In a spectacular strike, Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed one of Vladimir Putin's most valuable air defence systems, an S-400 'Triumf' valued at a staggering £960 million. The attack, which took place in occupied Crimea, represents a significant tactical and symbolic victory for Ukraine.
Details of the Daring Operation
Footage shared on Telegram shows the moment the sophisticated S-400 launcher was engulfed in flames after being struck by Ukrainian FP-2 drones. The operation was carried out by Ukraine's Special Operations Forces on October 6, though details were withheld until November for operational security. The strike near the village of Udachne, outside Simferopol, also destroyed a large ammunition depot belonging to Russia's 18th army.
In addition to the main launcher, the precision attack eliminated a 92N6E multi-functional radar and the autonomous power supply equipment for the S-400 command post. This comprehensive destruction severely degrades the unit's operational capacity.
Strategic Impact and Wider Campaign
Ukrainian officials stated that resistance spies working within Crimea had pinpointed the location of the high-value Russian assets prior to the strike. The S-400 system is designed to detect and destroy air targets at long distances, and Moscow has been using such complexes to launch strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine's forces described this successful mission as part of an ongoing campaign designed to apply pressure on Russia's military and systematically degrade their ability to conduct offensive operations. The loss of such a costly and advanced piece of military hardware is a substantial blow to Russian capabilities in the region.
