A specialized Ukrainian unit known as the “ghost” team successfully neutralized two significant Russian radar stations and a missile launcher in eastern Donbas, the Mirror reports. This clandestine drone operation, aptly named ‘ghost’ due to its stealth, penetrated enemy lines to disable two Podlet low-altitude radars and a 9A82 missile launcher, aiming to impede Russian advancements in the area.
The elimination of the anti-aircraft defense system not only hinders Russian progress but also creates opportunities for Ukraine to launch more powerful offensives against Russia’s key industrial and energy facilities. Additionally, a Russian troop-carrying truck fell victim to a drone strike orchestrated by special forces units, diverting Moscow’s troops from their primary offensives.
The successful destruction of the troop-carrier was an unexpected “bonus” according to Ukraine’s intelligence agencies, as it was only identified during the drone attack on the weapons sites. Amidst reports of Russian troops entering the besieged city of Pokrovsk, Kyiv refuted claims of its troops being ‘surrounded,’ denouncing them as false information.
The ongoing conflict in the region intensifies as the city of Pokrovsk faces the risk of being a pivotal point for potential deeper Russian incursions into Ukraine. The United Nations recently reported Russian drone teams targeting civilians to force them out of their residences in the east. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate confirmed that the Prymary special operations unit, also known as the “Ghosts,” executed the attack.
While the exact location of the latest “ghost” unit operation remains undisclosed, it occurred in the occupied Donbas region. The targeted S-300V anti-aircraft system, a long-range defense system safeguarding military and industrial sites from aerial threats, was effectively neutralized.
In recent months, Ukraine has intensified efforts to dismantle Russia’s ground-to-air missile defense systems to effectively disrupt Moscow’s industrial infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukrainian-made long-range weapons have significantly impacted Russia’s oil refining capacity. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for additional foreign financial support to bolster weapon production capabilities.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine heavily relies on oil exports to fund its operations. As Ukrainian strikes target refineries, the U.S. and the European Union impose new sanctions to curb Moscow’s oil and gas export revenues. Despite international peace initiatives led by the U.S., the prolonged conflict shows no signs of resolution.
With the Kremlin showing reluctance to compromise, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated tensions by announcing sanctions against major Russian oil companies. These sanctions are set to take effect soon, with potential implications for dialogue with Russia. China and India, as significant buyers of Russian oil, are also under scrutiny for their energy trade relations with Russia.
A source highlighted that disrupting Russia’s energy sector is a core strategy of Ukraine’s military operations, aiming to weaken Putin’s financial resources for the war effort. Western allies’ sanctions, combined with Ukraine’s strategic strikes on Russian military assets, contribute significantly to the economic pressure on Russia. Recent operations by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence and armed forces have successfully targeted high-value Russian radar and missile systems, signaling Ukraine’s commitment to undermining Russian military capabilities.
The “ghost” unit’s continued success in targeting Russian infrastructure underscores Ukraine’s determination to disrupt Russian defensive capabilities. The unit’s recent operations in southern Ukraine have further weakened Russia’s military defenses, demonstrating Ukraine’s increasing effectiveness in countering Russian aggression.