Ukrainian Defense Forces Target Russian Assets
In the early hours of March 15, Ukrainian defense forces successfully struck Russian radar stations and an air defense complex in Crimea. The attacks targeted the 59N6-E 'Protivnik' and 73E6 'Parol' radar systems near the temporarily occupied settlement of Libknekhtivka. Additionally, a launch unit of the advanced S-400 'Triumph' surface-to-air missile system was hit near Dalny, also within the occupied Crimean territory.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the operation, stating:
During the night of March 15, Ukrainian Defense Forces units struck the 59N6-E 'Protivnik' and 73E6 'Parol' radar stations in the area of Libknekhtivka in temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea.These strikes represent a significant blow to Russia's integrated air defense network in the region, which it has used to project power over the Black Sea.
Attacks Extend to Russian Territory
This follows another significant strike on March 10, 2026, which heavily damaged a 'Valdai' radar complex near Primorske in occupied Crimea. Simultaneous with the March 15 Crimea attacks, Ukrainian forces also targeted sites within Russia itself. A drone attack caused a major fire at an oil depot on the outskirts of Tikhoretsk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai.
Furthermore, missile strikes hit the city of Belgorod and its surrounding region, damaging energy infrastructure and causing disruptions to electricity, water, and heating supplies. A separate fire was also reported at a facility in Belgorod. In the temporarily occupied town of Dovzhansk in the Luhansk region, a strike triggered a fire and a series of explosions at an ammunition depot.
The situation on the front remains tense, marked by an intensification of combat operations targeting both Crimea and Russian soil. The destruction of radar sites and air defense systems underscores Ukraine's efforts to degrade enemy military capabilities and maintain its own defensive posture. These strikes on Russian territory may signal a tactical shift by Ukrainian forces, focusing on critical enemy infrastructure to disrupt military operations in the region.