On December 14, 2025, Ukrainian forces carried out a bold attack in Russia’s Belgorod region, near the border. A special reconnaissance unit destroyed two S-400 missile launchers. This hit revealed weaknesses in Moscow’s air defense system. The operation caused real damage and showed that Ukraine can now strike deep into Russian territory. It changed the way both sides fight in this ongoing war.
Ukraine has moved from just defending its own land to launching attacks far behind enemy lines. Over three years of conflict, Kyiv’s military has focused on hitting important Russian targets like weapons stores and radar stations, rather than trying to capture ground. The Belgorod area, right next to Ukraine, has faced hundreds of drone strikes. These attacks prove Ukraine’s growing ability to reach far and put heavy pressure on Russia’s defenses.
The Elite Unit Behind the Attacks
The 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, known as “Black Forest,” leads these missions. It started as a Soviet rocket artillery unit in 1991 but has transformed into an expert group for finding high-value targets. The brigade combines drone videos, sensors from Western allies, and old Soviet equipment to aim strikes with great precision. Colonel Oleksandr Popov, the commander, says technology helps spot targets, but Ukrainian soldiers’ skills make sure the hits land.
Russia sees this brigade as one of its biggest dangers and actively tries to shoot down its drones. The unit’s success comes from smart use of mixed tools, turning limited resources into powerful weapons. This approach has allowed Ukraine to keep surprising Russian forces with accurate, long-range attacks.
Russia’s Struggling Air Defenses
Russia’s air defense systems are under constant attack and wearing down. Ukraine says it has destroyed more than 31 S-400 units since the full invasion started. These systems can spot threats up to 600 kilometers away and once gave Russia control of the skies. But losing so many has hurt their ability to protect key areas.
Sanctions slow down Russia’s production of new S-400s, and they also sell some to other countries, making the shortages worse. This forces Moscow to move defenses around, leaving gaps that Ukraine exploits. The pressure keeps building across the war’s front lines.
Details and Wider Impact of the Strike
The December 14 attack targeted the 568th Air Defense Regiment near the village of Raievka. The 15th Brigade used drones, artillery observers, and intelligence to strike command centers and the S-400 launchers. Video footage, released soon after, confirmed the destruction of two launchers and their ammunition supplies. Ukraine’s General Staff officially verified the success on December 19.
Losing these launchers creates big holes in Russia’s air coverage around Belgorod, a hub for supplies and troop movements. Each S-400 battery covers a wide area with several launchers, so gaps mean Russia must rush replacements from other spots, weakening defenses there too. This makes Russian logistics more vulnerable to Ukrainian raids.
The strike weakens Russia’s ability to scare off attacks, encouraging Kyiv to push even deeper, perhaps at supply lines inside Russia. Both sides will likely review their tactics soon. On the world stage, countries like India and Turkey, which use S-400s, are paying close attention. Ukraine’s mix of drones, old weapons, and new sensors challenges ideas about high-tech defenses. It may push militaries everywhere to develop more flexible systems against fast-changing threats.
Sources:
Defence-ua.com: Strike in Belgorod Region Eliminates Two Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems
Ukrinform: General Staff confirms strikes on Russian army targets
Wikipedia: S-400 missile system
Pravda.com.ua: God’s eyes. How Ukrainian artillery reconnaissance made
BBC News: Blackouts hit Russia’s Belgorod as Ukrainian drone attacks surge
Critical Threats: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment December 2025