Ukrainian special forces destroy costly Russian air defenses in Crimea
Photo: Ukrainian drones destroyed expensive Russian air defense systems in Crimea (Getty Images)
Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system and destroyed the Pantsir S-1 air defense system in occupied Crimea.
Read more: SBU's Alpha unit wipes out half of Russia's Pantsir air defenses, video shows
"On the night of February 25, 2026, Middle Strike units of the Special Operations Forces successfully struck Russian air defense positions in the temporarily occupied Crimea," the statement says.
The results of the fire damage confirmed the destruction of the S-400 launcher, the 92N6E radar station, and auxiliary elements of the S-400 system.
The Pantsir-S1 air defense system, which protected important objects and enemy air defense positions from drones and missiles at low and medium altitudes, was also destroyed by Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian special forces destroy costly Russian air defenses in Crimea pic.twitter.com/kQazHyzMei
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) February 25, 2026
"Special operations forces continue to carry out asymmetric actions to reduce Russia's offensive potential," the Ukrainian military says.
Destruction of Russian air defense systems
In 2025, special forces from the Alpha Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine were massively eliminating Russian air defenses.
The special forces deliberately destroyed the most expensive Russian installations that were supposed to protect their airspace. In total, Russians lost $4 billion worth of equipment over the course of the year.
In particular, in one year, Alpha halved the number of Russian Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun systems with long-range strikes.
