Russia parked an S-400 on a Black Sea shore. Ukraine’s drones knew exactly where

On the night of August 8-9, 2023, Ukraine's unmanned systems forces successfully neutralized a long-range Russian S-400 air-defense system located on the Black Sea coast. The SBS commander Robert Madyar Brovdi reported that the strike, carried out by the 413th Reid Regiment, reduced the system to ashes, taking out surrounding air defenses, radars, and cargo ships. The targeted battery was guarding the coastal area near a place believed to be the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This series of strikes forms part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign to dismantle Russia's air defenses, aiming to create a pathway for their larger drone and missile operations. Furthermore, destroying these launchers is crucial in preventing the delivery of ballistic missiles on Kyiv.

On the morning of August 8, the 413th Reid Regiment fired six missiles within a three-hour window from 9:25 to 12:51. Gelendzhik, the location of the targeted S-400 Triumf system, is situated on a Black Sea headland that is also the location of Putin's reported private palace. The S-400 has been used as a terror weapon against Kyiv, with its ballistic 48N6DM missiles capable of reaching ground targets over 200 kilometers away.

Notably, this particular regiment had previously targeted S-400 launchers in Bryansk Oblast, saving Ukrainian civilians from ballistic missile strikes. Additionally, the same night, Ukrainian drones destroyed four more Russian air-defense assets located on Russian soil, including a Tor system in Rostov Oblast, a Pantsir-S1 point-defense system in Yeysk, and two radar stations in Rostov Oblast. This campaign of targeted strikes continues to put pressure on Russia's air defense infrastructure.