Ukraine Strike Downs Air Defenses Near Putin Palace
Ukraine Strike Downs Air Defenses Near Putin Palace
The News
Ukrainian forces say they have destroyed a Russian air defense command center near Gelendzhik on the Black Sea coast — the site of Vladimir Putin's reported £1 billion palace — leaving the lavish residence "unprotected."
Kyiv said the long-range drone strikes knocked out systems including an S-400, part of a stepped-up campaign to clear the way for deeper attacks inside Russia.
Timeline
On August 10, Ukraine's Black Forest Brigade said it destroyed a Russian air defense command center, releasing video of the strike.
Kyiv said the S-400 system near Gelendzhik was among the assets hit, according to a Newsweek report citing Ukrainian officials.
By August 11, the Daily Mail reported the strikes had "obliterated" the air defenses shielding Putin's palace, describing the residence as left exposed.
Reactions
Ukraine said the attacks on key air defense systems would allow its forces to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Kyiv has vowed to cut off Crimea from Moscow, and has intensified attacks on Russian assets on the peninsula in recent months.
What's Next
Ukraine is expected to press its long-range strike campaign against Russian air defenses to open corridors for further attacks.
Watch for Russian efforts to reinforce or reposition air defenses around the Black Sea coast and Crimea.
More
Putin's Black Sea palace, valued in reporting at around £1 billion, has long been a symbol of the Russian president's wealth. The proximity of Ukrainian strikes to the site underscores how far Kyiv's long-range reach now extends.
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