KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed an exceptionally rare Russian radar component associated with the nation's newest and most advanced S-500 "Prometey" air and missile defense system, according to a detailed analysis by the defense news outlet Militarnyi.
The report, which cites intelligence from the open-source intelligence (OSINT) community CyberBoroshno, states that the revelation was uncovered within a video released by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR). The video documents a series of drone attacks conducted by the "Prymary" special unit targeting Russian radar installations on the occupied Crimean peninsula.
Initially, the strike was believed to have hit a more common radar. However, a deeper analysis revealed a far more significant target.
"Yesterday's video from the GUR caught our attention with the destruction of a 96L6 radar from an S-400 system—except it wasn't a 96L6," wrote the analysts at CyberBoroshno. "We have analyzed the visual characteristics of the target and can confidently assert that this is the latest 98L6 'Yenisei' radar, which is the standard component for the S-500 'Prometey' system."
The 98L6 "Yenisei" is a state-of-the-art system. It underwent state trials between 2020 and 2021, and open-source data indicates it was officially brought into service in April 2021.
According to Russian sources, the "Yenisei" radar is equipped with a highly jam-resistant, multi-element Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna. It is designed to detect and track both aerodynamic (like jets and cruise missiles) and ballistic targets at ranges of up to 600 kilometers and altitudes of up to 100 kilometers. Once a target is identified, its data is relayed to a command post for engagement by other air defense assets.
Visually, the "Yenisei" radar bears a close resemblance to the Russian 96L6E radar, which can lead to misidentification. Both are mounted on a four-axle MZKT chassis and share a similar layout, featuring a fully rotating antenna assembly and an equipment container on the vehicle's bed. However, a key distinguishing feature lies in the antenna design. On the older 96L6E, the main antenna panel is visibly split into two sections of different sizes, a feature not present on the integrated "Yenisei" array.
Functionally, the "Yenisei" system is more advanced. It can operate not only in a 360-degree surveillance mode but also in a narrow-sector scanning mode, which significantly improves its capability to detect challenging ballistic targets. It is the designated radar for the S-500 "Prometey," Russia’s premier air and missile defense platform.
CyberBoroshno analysts noted that in Crimea, this advanced radar was also being deployed alongside the S-400 system, likely to enhance its capabilities. The analysts are currently working to determine the precise coordinates of the strike to identify which specific air defense complex the radar was servicing at the time of its destruction.
If confirmed, the loss of a "Yenisei" radar would represent one of the first documented combat losses of a component linked to the S-500 system—a platform specifically engineered to counter advanced ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and other high-speed aerial threats. Such a loss would be a significant intelligence and operational blow to Russia's highly-touted air defense network in the strategic Black Sea region.
