Ukraine used drones and missiles to shoot down a sophisticated Russian air defense system worth hundreds of millions of dollars early Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The advanced S-400 air defense system was destroyed in a joint operation between the Ukrainian Security Service and the Navy, according to the BBC and Reuters, citing Ukrainian intelligence sources.
The attack off the coast of Yevpatoria (a port city located west of the Crimean peninsula) was coordinated through the use of drones and local Neptune missiles, Anton Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian official, wrote on Telegram.
According to Business Insider, prominent Russian blogger Rybar reported a possible account of how the attack occurred.
He wrote that before the attack, Ukraine sent drones to hit a Russian ship in the Black Sea.
Rebar reported that the air defense system fired its missiles to shoot down the drones, thus revealing their location, which enabled Ukraine to target it with cruise missiles.
A video clip circulating on social media shows a large flash, as something in the distance appears to explode and catch fire.
Russia has not yet commented on the supposed damage, although it said its air defenses shot down 11 Ukrainian drones over the peninsula, Reuters reported.
The S-400 system is designed to compete with the US-made Patriot air defense system, but at a lower price.
The BBC cited Ukrainian sources indicating that the destroyed regime was worth up to $1.2 billion.
According to Business Insider, other estimates for the S-400 system are lower, closer to $500 million.
#Video #Destruction #Russian #air #defense #system #worth #millions #dollars
2023-09-15 06:07:07
