The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its Eastern forces destroyed a Ukrainian radar station in Dnipropetrovsk province.

Footage shows a Lancet kamikaze drone descending upon the deployed radar station. Russian reconnaissance drones circled overhead, capturing the explosion on impact and the subsequent fire.

ZALA Aero, the manufacturer of the Lancet drone, stated that its Z-16 reconnaissance drone located the Ukrainian radar station during operations in Dnipropetrovsk province. The target's coordinates were relayed to the Lancet drone operators for immediate action.

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the incident.

Lost Armour, a Russia-based open-source intelligence analysis website, identified the targeted radar as an ST-68.

The ST-68 radar, also known as 36D6, was developed during the Soviet era. It has a tracking range of about 200 km and is a key component of the S-300 long-range air defense system, specializing in detecting targets like cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. The ST-68 can also operate independently as an early warning radar for regional air defense networks.

Open-source data based on verified images indicates Lancet drones have struck over 3,700 Ukrainian targets since their first combat deployment in July 2022. The actual number could be higher, as many videos remain undisclosed by the Russian military for security reasons.

Location of Dnipropetrovsk province. Graphic: RYV

Of these, Lancet drones completely destroyed 900 targets, damaged 1,769, and the results for the remainder are unknown.

Towed artillery pieces were the most frequently targeted, with 1,024 hit, followed by 646 self-propelled artillery systems. Almost 1,000 tanks and armored vehicles were also targeted, along with over 200 Ukrainian radar stations and communication systems.

Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, TASS, AP)