Ukrainian drone troops struck multiple Russian military targets overnight on 27-28 December in occupied Crimea, including a high-tech radar system and a base for sea drones, according to Commander Robert Brovdi. The attack was carried out near Chornomorske on Crimea's western coast, marking the third confirmed destruction of Russia’s Valday anti-drone radar system in 2025.
Ukrainian drones target radar hub and sea drone facility in occupied Crimea
Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), Robert Brovdi (known by the call sign “Madyar”), said in a Facebook post that a nighttime operation by pilots from the 1st Special Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces targeted several Russian military facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea. According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones hit the Valday radar system, a control center for radar reconnaissance operations, and a facility for storing and launching uncrewed surface vessels — all located in or near the town of Chornomorske.
Brovdi released video footage showing the strikes. The video shows that the Valday system was protected by a special dome structure. This system is one of Russia’s most advanced mobile radar complexes designed specifically to detect and counter small drones. Despite this capability, the radar system was destroyed in the attack. Video confirms that the dome shielding the Valday radar was destroyed first, followed by a direct strike on the radar itself.
Valday radars were only introduced into Russia’s armed forces after tests concluded in 2021, a year before the start of the full-scale invasion.
Kamikaze drones deliver precision strikes on Russian sea drone launch site
Military-focused outlet Militarnyi reported that FP-1 or FP-2 kamikaze drones — both domestically produced in Ukraine — were used in the operation. At least three drones struck the naval drone base, which was used for storing and launching uncrewed surface vessels.
The attack on this site is seen as particularly significant following an incident in late August, when a Russian sea drone hit the Ukrainian Navy's medium reconnaissance ship Simferopol. That event marked the first confirmed case of a Ukrainian vessel being damaged by an enemy sea drone — for years before that it was the other way around. This week’s strike follows a similar Ukrainian attack reported on 24 December that also targeted a Russian sea drone facility.
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The type of the destroyed control center was not specified, but reports suggest it may have belonged to the Valday radar complex.
All targets were located near the same area — Chornomorske in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia’s Valday radar has repeatedly failed to avoid destruction
The Valday radar is a recent Russian development meant to improve the detection, tracking, and neutralization of small, low-speed drones. The system uses a three-coordinate radar module operating in the X-band, capable of spotting drones like the Mavic or Phantom series at distances of 5 to 6 kilometers, and larger air targets up to 15 kilometers depending on conditions.
Despite being a fresh addition to the arsenal, they have become frequent targets. In February 2025, two Valday systems were destroyed by an explosion at a military facility in Dolgoprudny, a Moscow suburb where they were deployed to protect the capital’s airspace. Another unit, camouflaged at the Dzhankoi airfield in occupied Crimea, was taken out by Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) in October 2025.
Previously, Ukraine’s General Staff also reported the destruction of a Russian sea drone base in Crimea with a domestically produced missile, though no exact date was provided.
