A Russian facility was hit in Mariupol near airport

A Russian facility, presumably a S-300V air defense system, was hit near the Mariupol airport, to which firefighters were immediately dispatched.

The Mariupol City Council said that explosions had been heard in the Primorskyi district and outside the city.

“Locals report that air defense is working. According to preliminary information, a possible hit occurred near the airport,” the city council said.

Russian media report the alleged downing of five missiles fired from US M142 HIMARS rocket systems.

However, smoke near the airfield indicates that the Russian facility was hit. The Russian invaders report that ambulances and firefighters had arrived at the scene.

Analysts from the CyberBoroshno Telegram group showed a satellite image showing Russian air defense systems near the airfield.

The Russians have deployed S-300V systems there.

“Most likely, the S-300V system was hit,” the analysts said.

This system is designed for the defense of important government, military, and industrial facilities.

The S-300V is also capable of defending a group of troops against aircraft, ballistic and tactical missiles. All components of the air defense system are self-propelled, mounted on tracked chassis.

Nevertheless, the Ukrainian military managed to destroy these Russian systems with the help of long-range weapons.

In May of this year, photos of destroyed S-300V SAM launchers of the Russian invaders in the Zaporizhzhia region were posted online. Also in 2023, the Ukrainian Special Forces neutralized the launcher of the S-300VM air defense systems.