Ukrainian drones have struck a crucial Russian early warning radar station, according to The War Zone.
This attack, captured by satellite imagery, has resulted in visible damage to the "Voronezh-DM" radar station in Russia's Krasnodar region.
These radars are a vital component of Russia’s ballistic missile early warning system, designed to detect incoming threats, including nuclear missiles.
Significant Damage to Critical Infrastructure
The satellite images and social media posts confirm significant damage to the buildings housing the radar equipment.
The "Voronezh-DM" radars are highly sensitive and fragile, making them susceptible to long-term disruption from even minor impacts.
The War Zone highlighted that the attack likely aimed to neutralize this facility due to its capability to detect long-range ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine by the United States.
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Silence from Both Sides
As of now, Ukrainian authorities have not claimed responsibility for the attack, and Russian officials have also refrained from commenting.
The attack appears to be a strategic move, possibly targeting the radar’s ability to monitor missile launches from the southwest, including those from Ukraine.
The "Voronezh-DM" radar, operational since 2013, notably detected a missile launch from the Mediterranean during the Libyan conflict. Its primary function, however, is to detect ballistic missile launches from much greater distances.
Potential Nuclear Implications
Striking such a radar station holds significant risks.
The "Voronezh-DM" is part of Russia’s missile attack early warning network, and its incapacitation could meet conditions warranting a nuclear response.
According to a Russian presidential decree, the criteria for using nuclear weapons include enemy actions against critical state or military facilities whose destruction would undermine retaliatory capabilities.
