In January, the special unit “Duchy”, subordinated to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, carried out a series of operations aimed at neutralizing enemy air defense and radar surveillance systems along the entire front line.
According to information published by the ministry on social media, the operations were carried out in low temperatures and were aimed at limiting the ability of enemy forces to detect and react from the air, creating operational gaps in the integrated defense system.
Air defense systems hit
The confirmed targets included the Pantsir-S1 air defense system, designed for short-range protection of military and strategic facilities against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. The set combines missiles and automatic guns to provide close cover against air threats.
Then, Ukrainian operators hit the Tor-M1 system, whose main task is to protect sensitive targets against attacks by cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and planes flying at low altitudes.
The operations also included the newer version of the Tor-M2, which was taken out of combat along with the transport and loading vehicle (TZM). The destruction of this support vehicle limits the ability to quickly reload the launcher, significantly reducing the readiness of the system in long-term engagements.
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Attacks on surveillance radars
In addition to the anti-aircraft defense systems, scouts from the “Duchy” unit disabled the RLM-ME vehicle, which is part of the Nebo-M radar complex, responsible for detecting targets at low altitudes and enhancing situational awareness in the airspace.
The next device hit was the Opponent-GE three-dimensional radar station, used to detect and track air objects and transmit target data to both anti-aircraft missile units and fighter aircraft.
Capabilities of neutralized systems
Pantsir-S1 has a radar capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 36 km. Its missiles can engage threats at ranges of up to 20 km and at altitudes of up to 15 km, while its two twin 30 mm guns provide direct defense at a radius of up to 4 km.
Tor-M1 uses its own radar with a detection range of up to 27 km. The 9M331 missiles operate in a strike zone of 1.5 to 12 km, covering altitudes from 10 meters to 6 km.
Tor-M2 integrates an improved radar capable of detecting targets – including those with stealth features – at a distance of up to 32 km. With the use of 9M338 missiles, the combat range was increased to approximately 15–16 km, with a maximum ceiling of 10 km, and the possibility of simultaneous attack on up to four targets.
In terms of long-range surveillance, the RLM-ME radar operates in the meter band and can detect aircraft and missiles from a distance of up to 600 km while observing targets at high altitudes. Opponent-GE, in turn, operates in the decimeter band, reaching a range of up to 400 km and an altitude of up to 200 km, with the ability to simultaneously track up to 150 air objects.
The actions of the Ghost unit demonstrate a concentrated effort to degrade an adversary’s integrated air and radar defense network, limiting its ability to detect, track and engage targets in contested airspace.
@militaryanalyseSeries of Ukrainian attacks compromise radars and air defense missiles on the front line Throughout January, the special unit known as the “Ghosts,” affiliated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, carried out a series of operations aimed at neutralizing enemy air defense and radar surveillance systems along the entire front line. Telegram @DIUkraine
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Source and photos: Telegram @DIUkraine | Militarnyi. The content was prepared with the help of AI and verified by the editorial team.
