Ukraine’s drones killed a Tor in Donetsk. Then a Grad in Zaporizhzhia. Same day.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed a Russian Tor surface-to-air missile system in occupied Donetsk Oblast and a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 9 March, the command reported. Both strikes were carried out in coordination with the Center for Deep Strikes as part of an ongoing campaign to degrade Russian combat capacity.

Tor downed in Donetsk Oblast

Operators of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed the Tor in Donetsk Oblast, the command said. The Tor is a short-range self-propelled air defense system capable of autonomously detecting and engaging aerial targets — including drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft — at distances of up to 16 km and altitudes of up to 10 km. 

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted Russian Tor systems as part of a sustained air defense degradation campaign. On 20 February, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed three Tor-M1 systems in a single night in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast — hardware worth roughly $75 million. On 6 March, Ukrainian drone operators struck four Russian self-propelled air defense systems across occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts overnight, including a Tor, a Pantsir-S1, a Buk, and an S-300V.

Grad destroyed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

The 413th Regiment "Raid" of the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed the BM-21 Grad in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the command said. The Grad is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher that can fire 40 unguided 122 mm rockets in under 20 seconds at ranges of up to 20 km. Russia has used the system to strike Ukrainian towns and cities throughout the war.

"Continuous" losses

The Unmanned Systems Forces said the strikes were part of a coordinated effort with the Center for Deep Strikes to keep pressure on Russian forces across occupied territories.

"The enemy continues to lose critically important equipment, personnel, and combat capabilities. The Unmanned Systems Forces make this process continuous," the command said.