In a significant escalation of Ukraine’s campaign against Russian military infrastructure, Ukrainian drone operators destroyed a high-value Russian S-300V surface-to-air missile system and its supporting radar in the Zaporizhzhia region on September 3, 2025. The strike, which took place near the village of Oleksiivka in the Polohy district, marks another major setback for Russia’s air defense network in southern Ukraine, according to reports from Militarnyi and United24Media.
The operation was orchestrated by the Lasar’s Group UAV unit of the 27th Pechersk Brigade, part of Ukraine’s National Guard. Utilizing a heavy bomber drone, the unit targeted the Russian S-300V launcher and a 9S36 radar station, both critical components of Russia’s layered air defense system. The attack was confirmed by Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, who released images of the aftermath and emphasized the significance of the hit. "This was a fat target," Andriushchenko noted, underlining the strategic value of the destroyed equipment to Russia’s defensive capabilities in the occupied south.
Footage shared on Telegram channel Butusov Plus and other social media platforms shows Ukrainian drone operators identifying the Russian S-300V system on a roadway before delivering a precision strike. The video, which cuts out abruptly after a massive explosion, suggests the detonation of the S-300V’s ammunition was so powerful that it may have destroyed the attacking drone itself. The destroyed launcher is estimated to be worth around $40 million, a substantial loss for Russian forces already grappling with repeated attacks on their air defense assets.
The 9S36 radar station, which was also eliminated in the strike, forms part of Russia’s modern Buk-M2 and Buk-M3 air defense systems. According to the manufacturer’s data cited by Militarnyi and United24Media, the 9S36 features a mast that can extend up to 22 meters, allowing it to detect and track low-flying targets even in heavily forested or uneven terrain. The radar’s antenna post can rise to 21 meters and is capable of simultaneously tracking and engaging up to four aerial threats, adjusting for terrain obstacles up to 20 meters high. This capability makes the 9S36 a linchpin in Russia’s efforts to counter Ukraine’s growing arsenal of drones and precision-guided munitions.
The September 3 strike is only the latest in a string of Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian air defense systems. On August 27, 2025, Ukraine struck a Russian S-300 division and aircraft at the Baltimor airbase, destroying a 76N6 radar—responsible for detecting targets at medium and high altitudes—and a 30N6 radar used for illumination and guidance. Just a week earlier, on August 20, fighters from the same Lasar’s Group had successfully destroyed another S-300 system on Russian-occupied territory in Zaporizhzhia oblast. These operations, as reported by both Militarnyi and United24Media, highlight a sustained and focused campaign by Ukrainian forces to degrade Russia’s air defense umbrella in occupied regions.
The pattern of strikes does not appear to be coincidental. By systematically targeting advanced radar stations and missile launchers, Ukraine is seeking to erode Russia’s capacity to protect key assets and supply lines from aerial attack. The loss of the S-300V system and 9S36 radar in Zaporizhzhia is particularly noteworthy because these systems are designed to counter precisely the kind of drone and missile threats that Ukraine is now employing to such devastating effect.
Petro Andriushchenko, who has been at the forefront of documenting the impact of Ukraine’s strikes in occupied territories, shared photos of the destroyed launcher and radar, corroborating the scale of the damage. According to United24Media, Andriushchenko observed that the strike’s success was so complete that it likely resulted in the destruction of the attacking drone, a testament to the risks Ukrainian operators are willing to take to achieve high-value targets.
The operation was carried out using what Ukrainian sources described as a "Baba Yaga" heavy bomber drone, a type of unmanned aerial vehicle that has become increasingly prominent in Ukraine’s arsenal. These drones are capable of delivering substantial payloads with precision and have been instrumental in the recent uptick in successful strikes against Russian military infrastructure. The footage released shows the drone operators calmly identifying their target and executing the attack, a scene that has become emblematic of the evolving nature of modern warfare on the Ukrainian front.
The destruction of these air defense assets has broader implications for the ongoing conflict. Russia’s S-300V and Buk systems are among its most advanced means of defending against aerial threats, including cruise missiles, drones, and even manned aircraft. The repeated loss of such systems not only weakens Russia’s immediate defensive posture but also forces it to divert additional resources to protect vulnerable areas, stretching its capabilities across a vast and contested front.
Ukraine’s campaign against Russian air defenses has not been limited to Zaporizhzhia. Earlier, Ukrainian forces successfully struck a Russian 91N6E radar system, part of the S-400 Triumph air defense network in Crimea. The S-400 Triumph, considered one of the world’s most sophisticated air defense systems, is valued at around $1.2 billion and is capable of intercepting a wide range of aerial threats. The destruction of its radar component further underscores the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone warfare strategy and its ability to penetrate even the most advanced Russian defenses.
Each of these strikes represents not just a tactical victory, but a psychological blow to Russian forces and a morale boost for Ukraine. The images of destroyed launchers and radar stations circulate widely on social media, serving as both evidence of Ukraine’s growing capabilities and a warning to Russian commanders that their assets are no longer safe, even deep within occupied territories.
For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher. As the conflict continues to grind on, the ability to degrade Russia’s air defenses opens the door for more ambitious operations, including strikes against logistics hubs, command posts, and concentrations of troops. Conversely, for Russia, the loss of these systems represents a growing vulnerability that could have far-reaching consequences for its hold over occupied regions.
While the war shows no signs of abating, one thing is clear: the battle for control of the skies over Ukraine is intensifying, and with each successful strike, Ukraine is tipping the balance a little further in its favor. The destruction of the $40 million S-300V system and its radar in Zaporizhzhia is just the latest chapter in a conflict where innovation, courage, and determination continue to shape the course of events.
