Moscow is flying in commission to replace Sevastopol commanders who lost S-400 in Ukrainian strikes, instead of ending war

Moscow authorities are reportedly considering changes to the command structure of Russian air defense units in Crimea. It follows a series of equipment and infrastructure losses, the Atesh partisan movement reports on its Telegram channel.

According to movement agents, a special inspection commission from Moscow has arrived in Sevastopol due to losses among air defense units in Crimea.

Air defense division command under review

“The issue of replacing the command staff of the 31st Air Defense Division is being considered,” Atesh says.

The 31st Air Defense Division is part of Russia’s 4th Air and Air Defense Army of the Southern Military District. The unit is responsible for protecting the airspace over Crimea, including the areas around Sevastopol and Dzhankoi, using S-400 Triumf air defense systems.

According to experts, the cost of a single S-400 system can reach roughly $1 billion.

Ukrainian “Ghosts” strike S-400 radar, Forpost drone and Ka-27 helicopter

In February, operators from a special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR) known as “Ghosts” carried out a number of precision strikes on Russian targets in Crimea.

Among the damaged or destroyed assets were:

• a radar station of the S-400 Triumf system
• a Russian Forpost reconnaissance UAV
• a Ka-27 helicopter

“Blind battery”: SOF destroy key S-400 radar

During the same month, units of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) also struck elements of an S-400 system in Crimea.

Among the destroyed components were:

• an S-400 launcher
• a 92N6E radar station
• additional supporting elements of the system

The 92N6E radar plays a crucial role in the system’s operation, providing target detection, tracking, and missile guidance. Without it, the other components of the complex effectively lose combat capability.

Losses force Moscow to respond

The Atesh movement says the recent losses of air defense assets have significantly weakened the protection of Crimea and parts of Kherson Oblast.

“Significant losses of air defense systems in recent times have noticeably weakened the defense of Kherson Oblast and Crimea. Moscow appears to have recognize this,” the partisans believe.

At the same time, the resistance movement notes that such results are often made possible thanks to local residents, who provide information about the movements of Russian troops and equipment in occupied territories.