Joint Ukrainian Operation Hits Russian S-300V System, UAV Command Node

Ukrainian forces say a coordinated multi-service joint operation hit a Russian S-300V (NATO: SA-12 “Gladiator”) system, UAV control point, and electronic warfare assets in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Screenshot from the video) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Lasar’s Joint Group, comprised of defenders from the National Guard of Ukraine, the Air Force, and the 15th Separate Artillery Intelligence Brigade “Chorniy Lis” [Black Forest], carried out a large-scale operation that hit a Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) control point and an S-300V missile system. According to a report on Telegram , the multi-layered special operation was carried out in the Zaporizhzhia direction, with important Russian targets hit at each stage. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The video, which is more than two and a half minutes long, accompanying the report, shows the moments of impact from drone cameras, but Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time and place of its recording. The Lasar’s Group military unit analyzed the area of concentration of Russian equipment together with fighters from the 15th Separate Brigade. The crews identified a concentration of Russian air defense systems behind the front line. During preparations for the strike, intelligence determined that these systems were covered by the Palantin electronic warfare complex. This system became the priority target and the first stage of the operation. After receiving the coordinates, Lasar’s Group operators deployed their drones. The first sorties successfully struck the Palantin, and subsequent strikes completely destroyed it. The cost of this electronic warfare system is estimated at $20 million. Other Topics of Interest Russia Launches 128 Drones Overnight, 2 Killed in Dnipropetrovsk Region Ukrainian air defenses downed 113 drones as Russian strikes damaged energy and port infrastructure and caused casualties in several regions. The second stage of the operation involved strikes on Russian air defense systems. Lasar’s Group organized a hunt for S-300 surface-to-air missile systems with support from aerial reconnaissance of the 15th Brigade. Thanks to joint analytical efforts, the location of the Russian air defense systems was identified. Lasar’s Group fighters then struck with UAVs an S-300V launcher and the S-300V multi-channel missile guidance station. The S-300V (NATO: SA-12 “Gladiator”) is a Soviet-era surface-to-air missile system designed for medium-range point defense to protect critical military facilities and large troop formations. Unlike more common S-300 variants, the S-300V is a fully self-propelled system with both anti-aircraft and limited anti-missile capabilities, intended to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, and some ballistic threats. Each launcher has its own target illumination radar, which allows for autonomous combat operations. The system is capable of simultaneously engaging several types of targets flying at speeds of up to 3,000 m/s. The complex uses 9M83 and 9M82 missiles with ranges of up to 75 km and 100 km, respectively. The cost of one installation is about $40 million. According to the report, this S-300V missile system previously hindered the operations of Ukrainian aviation. However, after the destruction of the air defense system, the Air Force struck the UAV control point at the third stage of the operation. This operation adds to previous successful Ukrainian strikes against Russia’s air defense systems. For instance, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) destroyed 19 elements of Russia’s air defense network between March 1 and March 12, according to USF Major Robert “Madyar” Brovdy. Brovdy said that identifying and destroying elements of Russia’s long-, medium-, and short-range air defense network remains one of the USF’s top priorities. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.