Ukraine strikes rare Russian UAVs in Crimea, takes out radar and aircraft
Photo: Ukrainian forces strike depot with rare Russian Orion drones in Crimea (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces struck a storage site with rare Russian Orion drones in Crimea. An An-72P aircraft and a radar system used to guide the Russian aviation were also hit, according to Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces.
Operation details and destroyed equipment
According to the military, operators from the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with the Deep Strike Center, carried out a series of strikes on Russian military targets on April 2. The main target was a storage facility for multi-purpose Orion UAVs.
Each drone is valued at over $5 million. It is capable of staying in the air for up to 24 hours and carrying bombs or missiles.
The strike resulted in the confirmed destruction of four such units.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces strike an enemy UAV depot, aircraft, and radar in Crimea
— Unmanned Systems Forces (@usf_army) April 2, 2026
On April 2, operators of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces (@1usc_army ), jointly with Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, carried out a series of operations against… pic.twitter.com/9xKRKCieMP
In addition to the drone depot, Ukrainian forces struck an An-72P aircraft — a maritime patrol plane used to monitor coastal areas.
Another target was the P-37 Mech radar, a system designed to detect aerial targets and direct aircraft and air defense systems to the target.
"The precision and well-planned execution of operations by the Unmanned Systems Forces are undermining the enemy’s military potential faster than it can be restored," the unit said.
Successful Ukrainian operations in Crimea
Recently, Ukraine’s Defense Forces have significantly stepped up strikes on Russian military targets on the peninsula.
On March 24, Ukrainian forces carried out a series of precision strikes that destroyed a Bastion launcher — one of the key elements of Russia’s missile control over the sea.
On March 27, near Hvardiiske, Ukrainian defenders hit a Valdai radar system designed to protect the airspace from drones.
In addition, on April 1, a massive drone attack caused a large-scale blackout in Crimea, leaving entire districts without power.
