Ukrainian Defense Forces Strike Two Radar Stations in Russian Rostov Region

Ukrainian Defense Forces likely struck two radar sites overnight — the South Navigation radar system-1 and a site on the grounds of a former air defense base in Russia’s Rostov region.

NASA FIRMS data shows thermal signatures at both locations, suggesting fires.

The South Navigation (Navigatsiya Yuga) radar system-1 is part of the South Aeronavigation (Aeronavigatsiya Yuga) branch in Rostov-on-Don.

It plays a key role in southern Russia’s air traffic management system, including aircraft detection and tracking, route coordination, flight radio support, aviation telecommunications, and satellite fixed communications.

The station is part of a centralized air traffic control system considered strategically important for Russian aviation.

The second strike targeted the grounds of a former air defense unit (military unit 65312), once home to the 1244th anti-aircraft missile regiment, which operated S-300PS systems in the 1990s.

In 1997, the unit merged with the 584th regiment and was relocated to Maryino, Moscow Region. Russian forces appear to have attempted to restore the base for use in the war against Ukraine. The site includes a radar station similar to the radar system-1, likely serving the same functions.

Militarnyi previously reported that on August 12, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces destroyed the Skala-M radar station in occupied Crimea.

The system is designed to control air traffic, including on routes and in approach zones, and has a range of up to 350 kilometers.