Damaged Radar in Crimea Confirmed as S-500 Air Defense System Component

Ukrainian open-source investigators have confirmed that a drone operated by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine had successfully struck a Russian radar belonging to the cutting-edge S-500 air defense system in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The footage, released by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, was analyzed by the CyberBoroshno investigative community.

Earlier, the agency published a video showing targeted drone strikes by the special unit ‘Prymary’ against radar installations across the peninsula.

“Yesterday’s video released by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine drew our attention to what was initially identified as a strike on a 96L6 radar of the S-400 air defense system – but it turned out not to be a 96L6. After analyzing the visual features of the target, we can say with confidence that it is the advanced 98L6 Yenisei radar, which is the standard radar unit for the S-500 Prometey air defense system,” the open-source investigators wrote.

The radar system underwent state trials in 2020–2021 and, according to open sources, was officially adopted into service in April 2021.

The Russians claim that the core of the 96L6E Yenisei radar is a multi-element active electronically scanned array (AESA) with a high level of resistance to jamming. It is capable of detecting and tracking both aerodynamic and ballistic targets at ranges of up to 600 km and altitudes of up to 100 km. Target data is transmitted to a command post for further use by other air defense components.

Externally, the new Yenisei radar resembles the Russian 96L6E radar. It is also mounted on a four-axle MZKT chassis and has a similar layout. On the platform, it features a fully rotatable antenna unit and an equipment container.

Meanwhile, the two radar systems have some differences as they use different types of antennas. The main antenna array of the 96L6E is divided into two sections of different sizes.

The Yenisei radar is capable of operating not only in 360-degree surveillance mode but also within a narrow sector. This enables improved performance in detecting ballistic targets.

This radar station is the standard system for Russia’s new S-500 Prometey air defense system.

According to CyberBoroshno, in Crimea it is also used alongside S-400, which is why the open-source investigators tried to determine the exact coordinates of the strike – to understand which missile system the radar was operating with in this particular case.

Ukrainian drones also struck Russian radars that had been concealed inside special radio-transparent domes, which were built in the southern part of the Crimean Peninsula back in Soviet times.