Ukrainian drones have struck a Russian S-400 air-defence missile system positioned to guard certainly one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most lavish residences on the Black Coastline.
The S-400 “Triumph” launcher was situated roughly 12 miles from Putin’s sprawling residence close to Gelendzhik in southern Russia. The system is designed to intercept plane, drones and cruise missiles.
In accordance with Main Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s unmanned techniques forces, the launcher was left “ablaze and sputtering for 3 hours” after the drone assault, the Telegraph reported.
Air Defence Turned Towards Ukraine
The S-400 was reportedly a part of a wider safety community defending the presidential compound. Digital warfare techniques and cell hearth groups are additionally deployed across the residence, which is surrounded by a 27-square-mile “buffer zone”. A everlasting no-fly zone can be maintained over the world.
However Brovdi claimed the launcher had been repurposed to fireplace missiles at Ukrainian cities, together with six missiles launched on August 8.
The report said that Russia has more and more relied on techniques such because the S-400 for strikes on Ukraine because it faces a scarcity of Patriot interceptors, that are thought-about essential for defending in opposition to ballistic missile assaults.
Inside Putin’s Billion-Pound Retreat
The goal was situated near the residence generally dubbed “Putin’s Palace”, an enormous Italianate advanced whose alleged price has been estimated at as a lot as Rs 12,000 crore.
An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Basis, led by late opposition chief Alexei Navalny, detailed the property in 2021. Navalny died in a Siberian jail in 2024.
Studies concerning the property have painted a rare image of luxurious. The advanced has allegedly included a on line casino, winery, spa, ice rink, theatre, pole-dancing room, hookah lounge, an “aquatic disco” and even a room for miniature railway trains. A chapel was reportedly added in 2023.
Putin is believed to go to the Black Sea residence solely sometimes, with issues over Ukrainian long-range drone strikes making the placement more and more dangerous.
As a substitute, he’s thought to favour his closely protected dacha on Lake Valdai, about 185 miles east of Moscow.
Ukraine Steps Up Strikes Inside Russia
The most recent strike got here after one other Ukrainian drone assault in the identical area final week. Drone fragments reportedly fell onto a seaside, killing seven individuals.
Ukraine’s navy intelligence additionally mentioned on Monday that its drones had destroyed two Russian S-400 launchers and struck an antenna used to regulate Orion medium-altitude drones in occupied Crimea.
Kyiv estimated that the harm from the operation may run into tens of tens of millions of {dollars}.
The assaults are a part of a broader Ukrainian marketing campaign concentrating on Russian navy and power infrastructure. Massive-scale drone raids have grow to be virtually routine, with Russia more and more struggling to guard its territory from long-range strikes.
Greater than 450 Ukrainian drones reportedly entered Russian airspace in a single day on Monday, placing an oil refinery in Tatarstan. A minimum of 13 individuals had been killed, making it one of many deadliest single assaults on Russian territory for the reason that conflict started. Drone particles was additionally reported in Tyumen, in Siberia.
Kyiv Desires Stress, Moscow Refuses A Freeze
Ukraine hopes its increasing drone marketing campaign will elevate the price of the conflict and push the Kremlin in direction of negotiations.
Moscow, nevertheless, has proven little willingness to simply accept Kyiv’s present phrases.
Russian Deputy Overseas Minister Mikhail Galuzin rejected Ukraine’s demand for a frontline freeze and ceasefire on Monday and mentioned, “No ‘freeze’ is feasible with out addressing the foundation causes of this disaster”.
