Ukrainian forces also reportedly damaged barracks, a club, a training building and a canteen at the 31st Division’s base near Vitino village in occupied Crimea’s Saky district.
Sept. 23, 2025
Ukrainian forces carried out missile and drone strikes on Russian military targets in occupied Crimea on the night of Sunday, Sept. 21, hitting air defense systems and military infrastructure amid Kyiv’s intensified aerial assaults on the peninsula.
Russian news outlet ASTRA, citing emergency service sources, said two attack drones targeted a convoy of the 31st Air Defense Division near Volochaivka village in the Razdolne district, destroying a radar of an unspecified model.
The radar is a counter-battery system designed to detect and pinpoint artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers by tracking their projectile trajectories. It is a key tool in counter-battery operations, making it a valuable asset for Russian forces.
Another drone exploded and damaged a Pantsir-S1 mobile air defense system, estimated to be worth $15 million, near the Donske village in the Simferopol district. One Russian soldier was reportedly injured.
The Pantsir-S1 is a self-propelled, short-range air defense system designed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions.
In a separate strike possibly involving Ukraine’s domestic Neptune cruise missiles, ASTRA said Ukrainian forces damaged barracks, a club, a training building and a canteen at the 31st Division’s base near Vitino village in the Saky district.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) said it had also struck Russian Mi-8 helicopters and Nebo-U radar systems in occupied Crimea amid Kyiv’s intensified aerial assaults on the peninsula.
Though the dates of the attacks were not specified, HUR released infrared drone footage showing three Mi-8 helicopters and a 55Zh6U “Nebo-U” radar being hit.
On Monday, HUR announced that its “Ghosts” special operations unit destroyed two Russian Be-12 “Chaika” anti-submarine amphibious aircraft in Crimea a day prior – the first confirmed combat loss of this Soviet-designed model.
The Be-12, nicknamed “seagull,” was developed in the 1950s and remains in limited use by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet for maritime patrol and submarine-hunting missions. HUR said another Mi-8 helicopter was also destroyed in the same raid.
“This is the first ever destruction of Be-12 aircraft in history,” HUR said in a statement.
Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russian positions in Crimea in recent months. In early September, HUR said it destroyed a 48Ya6-K1 “Podlet” radar and an RLM-M module of the 55Zh6M “Nebo-M” system, as well as several Mi-8 helicopters and a tug boat. Ukrainian forces reportedly used their new Flamingo missile in one of the strikes.
Ukrainian military officials say such operations are part of a broader strategy to blind Russian air defenses before launching attacks on key targets.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/60714