In April 2026, Ukrainian drone units successfully targeted 38 pieces of enemy air defense equipment, totaling approximately $1.1 billion in damages. This operation reflects a strategic shift in Ukraine’s military approach, emphasizing deep strikes against Russian positions.
According to military sources, these drone units operate in coordination with the Deep Strike Center, executing precision strikes on enemy assets. During the reported period, they disabled 25 surface-to-air missile systems, including:
- Tor
- Tor-M2
- Buk
- Pantsir
- Osa
- ZU-23-2 on MTLB
- S-350
Additionally, Ukrainian forces rendered 13 radar and electronic warfare systems inoperative. This includes systems such as the “Zoo” complexes, the “Kasta” radar, the “Nebo-M” system, the P-37 “Mech” radar, the “Palantin” electronic warfare system, and the 92N6E radar from the S-400 system.
The military has indicated that the operation, dubbed “Air Defense Kill,” is ongoing. The unit continues to increase its operational tempo and extend the range of its strikes. “The SBS group is changing the nature of modern warfare and enabling asymmetric strikes far beyond the front lines in areas previously considered relatively safe by the enemy,” the report stated.
Ukrainian forces have consistently carried out effective strikes on military targets of the occupying forces both at sea and deep within enemy territory. Recently, a Russian missile ship, the “Karakurt,” which is capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, was struck in the port of Primorsk.
Furthermore, drone units have executed a series of targeted strikes against Russian air defense systems and command facilities. Notably, a successful attack involved Ukrainian drones traveling 1,700 kilometers to the Shagol airfield, where they destroyed four Russian aircraft, including Su-34 and Su-57 models.
In April 2026, Ukrainian drone forces targeted key Russian air defense systems, marking a significant escalation in military operations. This strategy aims to disrupt enemy capabilities deep behind the front lines, reflecting a shift in Ukraine's approach to warfare.