The operators of the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems “Achilles” successfully targeted and destroyed four Russian Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems using Darts drones.

The video footage, shared by the Serhiy Prytula Foundation, shows the strikes.

According to the report, some of the drones were purchased as part of the “Hit the Bullseye” training camp, which lasted until October 8, 2024.

The video footage reveals that the drone operators aimed at the combat module and radar to inflict maximum damage.
All four systems were hit while on combat duty, as indicated by the operational radar onboard the vehicles.

Although only one segment of the video clearly shows the impact, it appears that the strike caused the anti-aircraft system to spontaneously activate, suggesting that the drone hit a critical component of the Pantsir-S1.

Darts Drones

Darts are aircraft-type kamikaze drones developed by a Ukrainian manufacturer, using components from FPV drones.
With speeds of up to 160 km/h and a 4-kilogram warhead, they have a wingspan of 1.9 meters and a 1.5-meter-long fuselage.

The drones have a flight range of 40-60 km, depending on the payload, and cost approximately UAH 39,000 per unit.

In January, operators of naval strike drones also successfully targeted a Pantsir-S1 system in the Kherson region, with the possibility of critical damage or destruction due to fire.

It is unlikely that a strike by an FPV drone would have resulted in the instant destruction of the system. However, this does not rule out the possibility of critical damage and a loss due to fire.

The FPV drones were likely delivered to the target via unmanned drone carriers, the existence of which was revealed in December 2024.

The first public demonstration of this modification of Ukrainian naval drones occurred during an attack on enemy-captured gas platforms in the Black Sea.