Russian air defense forces are shooting down their own helicopters, and "Iskander" missiles are under attack: what is Ukraine up to?

Ukraine isn’t just striking Russian targets; it is systematically dismantling the system that supplies Putin’s army with fuel, missiles, and drones. Oil refineries, radar stations, ballistic missile launchers, and even elite UAV operator units are being targeted.

Military expert and Reserve Colonel Roman Svitan explained to 24 Channel the logic behind Ukraine’s choice of targets, why Russian air defense systems have begun shooting down their own aircraft, and how the destruction of “Iskander” launchers and the “Rubicon” center could impact the capabilities of the Russian army.

The Strategy for Destroying Russia’s Oil and Gas Industry

The Ukrainian army continues to follow a clear strategy for destroying Russia’s oil and gas industry. Military expert Roman Svitan notes that this approach is extremely well-thought-out: strikes are being carried out not only against oil refineries but also against oil transshipment facilities, as was the case in Ust-Luga.

The recent strike on attack on the Volgograd Oil Refinery was of particular strategic importance. This facility refines over 15 million metric tons of oil per year and produces diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel, which directly supply the Russian occupation forces in Ukraine.

According to Svitan, after Ukrainian forces began systematically taking out the Rostov Group’s oil refineries (the Yeisk, Afipsky, Slavyansk-on-Kuban, and Novoshakhtinsky refineries), it was the Volgograd refinery that took on the burden of supplying fuel to the Russian army on the front lines. Destroying this production cycle was only a matter of time.

To carry out the mission, Ukrainian drones successfully covered about 700 kilometers, breaking through the enemy’s frontline air defense. The expert emphasizes that such fire control must be maintained continuously – drones must visit these facilities at least once a month to prevent the enemy from resuming production, until the Russian economy completely collapses.

Full interview with Svitan: watch the video

The Blind Spot in Russian Air Defense: An Operation in the Leningrad Region

Successful strikes on strategic targets are preceded by meticulous preparation of the airspace. This was demonstrated by an operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine in the Leningrad Region, where three Russian radar stations were struck, including the “Nebo-U” and “Sopka-2” systems.

The main goal of such actions is to neutralize the Russian electronic warfare forces’ ability to maintain tight control over the skies.

The destruction of these surveillance radars produced an unexpected but extremely effective side effect. Having lost its radar coverage, Russian air defense forces began shooting down their own aircraft.

Svitan notes that as a result of this “blindness,”The Russians themselves destroyed their Ka-52 and Mi-8 helicopters, as well as MiG-31 fighters, were shot down. This demonstrates the high level of professionalism among SBU specialists, who involve navigators and aviation experts in operational planning, carrying out a dual, tandem mission.

Hunting Ballistics: How 10% of Launchers Were Destroyed

Another critically important area of the Defense Forces’ work is neutralizing Russian ballistic threats. Over the course of a month, the Ukrainian military managed to destroy 12 Russian launchers, which accounts for about 10% of the total number of such systems in the Ukrainian theater of operations.

Svitan calls this a very good indicator, which, over the course of a year, could lead to the complete elimination of enemy launchers (the “Iskanders” and North Korean KN-23s).

The mechanics of this hunt are based on an understanding of the enemy’s logistics. The Russians are forced to position their launchers 100–200 kilometers from the line of contact or the border. This is precisely the operational range at which Ukrainian drones can carry out combat missions under direct radio control.

The military has found an effective method of operation without using Starlink systems: several “Shark”-type drones take to the air, one of which acts as a relay, while another serves as a strike drone. This allows them to locate and destroy launchers even while they are on the move. Additionally, missile strikes are simultaneously launched against factories where these launchers are repaired.

Strike on “Rubicon” and Drone Production

Roman Svitan paid special attention to the destruction of the “Rubicon” UAV training and control center. This unit, established within Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate, was well-funded and considered an elite facility for training operators, modernizing drones, and assembling major drone components. The destruction of such command and control systems, headquarters, and crews is a top priority for Ukrainian special services and frontline units.

Incidentally, “ Rubicon” ( a specialized Russian unit for unmanned systems) was established in the summer of 2024 by order of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. It is responsible for the centralized procurement of drones, the training of operators, and their combat deployment. The unit is considered one of the most effective in the Russian army: its operators target Ukrainian military equipment, logistics routes, communications facilities, and the positions of UAV pilots. Russia provides “Rubicon” with significant resources, and its fighters also train other units and reinforce them in specific areas.

A prime example of its successful operations was the nighttime strike by Ukrainian “Neptune” missiles on the Rostov sector. The missiles, developed by the domestic design bureau “Luch,” struck directly at the locations where Russian drones were being prepared, repaired, and supplied. The expert predicts that following this precise strike, the number of enemy drones on the front lines is guaranteed to decrease, as a significant portion of their infrastructure has been completely destroyed.