Ukraine's drone units say they have hit 174 Russian air-defense systems in 2026
Ukraine's drone force says cheap one-way drones have hit 174 Russian air-defense systems worth $5.4 billion this year, the suppression work that opens its deep-strike lanes.
Ukraine's drone force says cheap one-way drones have hit 174 Russian air-defense systems worth $5.4 billion this year, the suppression work that opens its deep-strike lanes.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces say their drones have struck 174 Russian air-defense assets in the first five months of 2026, United24 Media reported. The branch, known by its Ukrainian initials SBS, put the value of the destroyed and damaged equipment above $5.4 billion.
The hit list runs to surface-to-air launchers, radar stations and electronic-warfare sets, per the SBS account. The unit's own published "killboard" logged 23 systems destroyed and 109 damaged from January through May, ABC News reported. The figures are Ukrainian claims and have not been independently confirmed.
A new Deep Strike Center under SBS commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi runs the campaign, United24 said. The same week, the SBS reported a Pantsir-S1 hit in occupied Crimea. It also claimed a strike on warships at the Kronstadt naval base near St. Petersburg, over 1,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 9,418 Ukrainian drones in May, the most it has ever published, ABC News noted. Open-source analysts cited in the same report say Moscow now sits behind more than 100 air-defense systems. Many have been pulled rearward to guard the capital.
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Subscribe Free →The drones doing this cost a fraction of the radars and launchers they destroy, the one-way airframes Ukraine now builds in volume. Each damaged asset "weakens the enemy's protection and creates conditions for further operations," from the front line to strikes deep in the Russian rear, the SBS said.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Russian air-defense systems does Ukraine say it has hit in 2026?
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces say their drones struck 174 Russian air-defense assets in the first five months of 2026, per United24 Media. The unit's own "killboard" logged 23 systems destroyed and 109 damaged from January through May, according to ABC News.
What is the dollar figure Ukraine attaches to the losses?
The Unmanned Systems Forces estimate the value of the destroyed and damaged Russian air-defense equipment exceeds $5.4 billion, United24 Media reported. The figure is a Ukrainian claim and has not been independently verified.
Which systems are being targeted?
According to the SBS account carried by United24 Media, the targets are surface-to-air missile launchers, radar stations and electronic-warfare sets, including a Pantsir-S1 reported hit in occupied Crimea.
Why does suppressing air defenses matter for Ukraine?
Degrading radars and surface-to-air launchers opens lanes for deeper strikes. The same week, SBS said it hit warships at the Kronstadt naval base near St. Petersburg, more than 1,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory, per United24 Media.
How is Russia responding?
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed shooting down 9,418 Ukrainian drones in May, its highest reported monthly total, ABC News noted, and open-source analysts say Moscow now sits behind more than 100 air-defense systems.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.