Drones pierce the sky with relentless precision, shattering Russia’s vaunted air defenses deep in occupied territories. Ukrainian special forces, leveraging unmanned aircraft, have systematically targeted S-400 systems and radar networks, exposing vulnerabilities that once shielded Moscow’s approaches and frontline positions.
$4 Billion in Losses
Ukraine’s Security Service announced in January 2026 that its Alpha special operations unit destroyed Russian air defense assets valued at $4 billion over 2025. The toll includes advanced S-400 and S-350 systems, along with vital radar stations, inflicting not just financial damage but strategic disruption. Russia must now shift remaining units, creating openings for Ukrainian incursions.
Russia’s Layered Defenses Exposed
Russia deploys a tiered air defense setup: long-range S-400 and S-300 batteries form the outer barrier, while mid-range Buk and short-range Pantsir units handle closer threats. Detection relies on far-reaching radars such as Nebo-U and Nebo-M, which guide missiles to targets. When these radars fail, launchers operate blindly, amplifying the effect of each Ukrainian strike.
Radars Fall, Gaps Widen
Ukrainian operators have zeroed in on radar vulnerabilities, neutralizing Nebo-U, Nebo-M, and 92N6E units tied to S-400 complexes. This severs surveillance and coordination across the network, compelling Russia to fall back on inferior alternatives. The result: corridors through which drones now reach ammunition stores, airfields, and other high-priority sites once beyond reach.
Alpha’s Relentless Strikes
Throughout 2025, Alpha conducted drone assaults on S-400 launchers, Buk platforms, and Pantsir-S1 batteries across Russian-held zones. A standout operation in November hit an S-400 near Novorossiysk. These efforts extended to personnel, with over 1,500 Russian soldiers killed that month, plus losses in armored vehicles and artillery. Multiple units, including GUR, the 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade, and the 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, amplified the campaign against S-350 and S-400 targets.
Russia Adapts Amid Challenges
Russia retains hundreds of systems, preserving substantial defensive depth despite the blows. Assets have grown more efficient since the invasion, intercepting most deep Ukrainian penetrations. Moscow repositions units, refines coordination, and deploys countermeasures in response. Yet Ukraine faces hurdles too: fragmented command among independent brigades hampers targeting efficiency, underscoring the need for tighter integration.
Ongoing Air Battle
NATO observers study Ukraine’s tactics closely, noting lessons for countering Russian systems that could threaten European airspace. Analysts highlight broader fallout—Russia’s reallocations strain logistics and economy, exposing supply routes. Experts question Ukraine’s endurance against resource limits and Russia’s replacement capacity in this cycle of innovation and counteraction. The conflict’s next phase hinges on whether Ukraine converts these gains into enduring superiority or if Russian reinforcements reclaim aerial dominance.
Sources:
“SSU’s Center of Special Operations ‘A’ Destroys $4 Billion Worth of Enemy Air Defense Systems in 2025.” Ukrinform, 19 Jan 2026.
“SBU Destroys Enemy Air Defense Assets Worth $4 Billion in 2025.” Interfax-Ukraine, 18 Jan 2026.
“SBU Says It Tore $4 Billion Hole in Russia’s Air Defenses in 2025.” Euromaidan Press, 18 Jan 2026.
“Ukraine’s Elite ‘Alpha’ Unit Dealt a $4 Billion Blow to Russian Air Defenses Over the Past Year.” Business Insider, 18 Jan 2026.