Since the start of this year, Russian forces have claimed the destruction of no fewer than 40 anti-air missile launchers used by Ukraine and at least 20 corresponding air defense radars, according to statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense and affiliated units reported by RIA News.
Over a little more than two months, Russian forces say that they have eliminated roughly a dozen S-300 surface-to-air missile launchers. They also claim to have knocked out at least ten of the associated radar stations that illuminate and guide missiles toward airborne targets. Command posts equipped with locating systems, which steer anti-air missiles toward their targets, were said to be hit as well.
Additionally, Russian sources report the destruction of at least six launchers belonging to the American Patriot system and at least two radars within that system. The French SAMP-T launcher set reportedly saw four launchers hit, while three German IRIS-T launchers and one Norwegian NASAMS launcher were among those claimed to be destroyed. More than ten radar stations linked to these air defense complexes were reported as disabled in the operation.
According to the announcements, 14 Strela-10 short-range anti-aircraft systems and two Buk-M1 medium-range systems were also destroyed in the course of the engagements.
Earlier claims described three Patriot launchers as potentially destroyed in a missile strike targeting the Pokrovsk region in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Reports from the United Kingdom previously highlighted concerns about the vulnerability of Ukrainian air defense networks.