Kathrine Frich
Ukraine has steadily weakened Russia’s air defence shield.
Kyiv now claims the cumulative damage runs into billions of dollars.
The assessment comes from Ukraine’s security services and is based on a series of long-range operations deep behind Russian lines.
Damage claimed
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said attacks carried out by its Alpha Special Operations Center have caused around $4 billion in losses to Russia’s layered air defence system, according to reporting by the Kyiv Post.
In a statement published on Telegram, the SBU said multiple Russian systems were destroyed or disabled during the campaign.
These included the S-300, S-350 and S-400 air defence systems, along with Buk-M1 and Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile systems.
Key systems hit
The SBU also listed losses involving the Pantsir-S1 and Pantsir-S2 missile and cannon systems, as well as the Tor-M1, Tor-M2 and Tor-M3 platforms.
According to the agency, these systems form the backbone of Russia’s short- and medium-range air defence network.
The statement did not specify where or when each system was hit.
Radar losses
Russian radar and targeting capabilities were also affected, the SBU said. Systems used to detect and track aerial threats were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
Among those listed were the Nebo-U and Nebo-M radars, as well as the Podlyot, Niobium, Kasta-2E2, Gamma-D and Protyvnik-GE systems.
The SBU added that radars integrated into Buk and S-300/S-400 complexes, including the 92N6 radar, were also hit.
Breached corridors
The agency released drone footage showing strikes on several air defence systems. The Kyiv Post said it could not independently verify the timing or locations shown in the videos.
“This action had a systemic effect: the corridors in the multilayered air defense system of the Russian Federation were breached,” the SBU said.
According to the statement, these gaps allowed Ukrainian long-range drones to fly deeper into Russian territory, striking military bases, warehouses and airfields.
Sources: Digi24, Kyiv Post
