KYIV: Ukraine claimed on Wednesday that it successfully destroyed a Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft system located on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. The Ukrainian defense ministry revealed that the incident occurred around 10 am (0700 GMT), resulting in a massive explosion that obliterated the long- and medium-range air defense system.
The defense ministry shared a video capturing the dramatic explosion, with a towering column of smoke billowing into the sky. The blast occurred near the village of Olenivka on the Tarkhankut Peninsula, obliterating not only the missile system but also its accompanying missiles and personnel.
In a statement released on social media, the Ukrainian defense ministry described the event as a “painful blow to the occupiers’ air defense system.” While there were no immediate comments from Moscow, Russian military bloggers acknowledged the incident and indicated that it exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s defense capabilities.
Potential of Russian Navy
Influential Russian Telegram channels, including Rybar and Voenny Osvedomitel, weighed in on the attack. The Rybar channel, which boasts 1.2 million followers, asserted that the strike targeted a S-300 system and questioned why Ukrainian vessels were frequently approaching the shores of Crimea. The channel highlighted the need for a more systematic defeat of the Ukrainian fleet and suggested potential reorganization of the Russian Navy.
Voenny Osvedomitel, another channel, expressed concerns about the quality of air defense coverage in the region, considering the missile-prone nature of the area. Both channels speculated that the attack might have been executed using missiles and drones, echoing the growing use of drones in targeting Russian-controlled territories.
Notably, Russian-controlled areas have experienced a series of drone attacks in recent weeks, with Moscow being targeted for six consecutive nights. Responding to these attacks, Vladislav Shapsha, the governor of the Kaluga region south of Moscow, reported that air defense systems in his region had successfully intercepted and neutralized two drones.
