The Rubikon Center, an elite drone operating unit of the Russian Ministry of Defense, announced on 18/1 that it had targeted "a launcher and AN/MPQ-53 fire control radar" of a Patriot air defense system deployed by Ukraine in Kharkov province.
A video later released showed a Russian suicide drone approaching a Patriot launcher in an open area next to a line of trees; however, the outcome of the strike remains unclear. A second drone crashed into an object believed to be an AN/MPQ-53 fire control radar, while a third aircraft flew over the area, revealing scorched marks around the object.
The Ukrainian military has not commented on the information.
Russian drones attacked targets believed to be "Patriot launchers and radar" in Kharkov province in a video released on 18/1. Video: Russian Ministry of Defense
Russian forces appear to have deployed BM-35 suicide drones, also known as Italmas. This aircraft model is made from light composite materials, carries a warhead weighing up to 40 kg, has a speed of 100-200 km/h, a range exceeding 200 km, and costs approximately 22,000 USD each.
Some Russian military news outlets suggested that the Italmas drones hit "high-quality models" deployed by Ukraine to protect its actual equipment. Meanwhile, RusVesna reported that the Patriot position in Kharkov was exposed after its operating crew activated the fire control radar, with coordinates relayed by the Russian air force to the Rubikon Center.
The Ukrainian military last week deployed at least one Patriot system to Kharkov city to mitigate damage from Russian ballistic missile attacks. This is believed to be one of two systems Ukraine recently received from Germany, which it brought to combat readiness earlier this year.
 |
Location of Kharkov city. Graphic: RYV
Ukrainian Patriot systems are equipped with the latest US-made PAC-3 MSE missiles, which have a maximum range of 120 km against aircraft and 60 km against ballistic missiles. Ukraine has repeatedly praised the Patriot's effectiveness, emphasizing it as the only weapon capable of countering Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles.
However, the Patriot's interception rate in Ukraine is declining due to missile depletion, while Russia has also targeted and destroyed many batteries. Moscow also continuously upgrades its Iskander-M ballistic missiles, preventing the Patriot system from achieving the desired effectiveness for Kyiv.
After months of continuous attacks, Russia has damaged or completely destroyed some Patriot systems, significantly weakening Ukraine's air defense network. Statistics from 10/2025 indicated that Ukraine seemingly possessed only 5 combat-capable systems, though the specific number of radars and launchers remains unclear.
Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, AP, AFP)
