Ukraine Destroys Russia’s Critical Weapons

Ukrainian Forces reportedly Destroyed a High-Value Russian Hypersonic Missile Launcher during a recent Operation Deep behind Enemy Lines in Occupied Crimea. On 3/24/2026, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) Reported that its Operators Destroyed a Russian Bastion-M Launcher system and Two Zircon Hypersonic Missiles.

Drone Operators from the HUR’s Department of Unmanned Systems reportedly Tracked a Column of Bastion-M Launchers inside Crimea as it was moving towards a Firing Position. The Kyiv Post noted the Column was near the Russian-occupied Village of Furmanovka, which is located near the Southern Portion of the Peninsula just North of Sevastopol.

“As a result of accurate strikes by reconnaissance units, one of the launchers and two expensive Zircon missiles were destroyed,” the HUR Reported in its Statement. Defense Express noted that the 3M22 Zircon Missile is a High-Value Asset and that the Loss of Two of these Critical Missiles “underscores both the cost and strategic impact of the operation.”

The HUR also Reported that another Bastion Launcher was Damaged in the Attack. Video Footage of the Attack was Released by the Ukrainian Intelligence Agency, which Recorded the Russian Bastion Column, the Strike, and the Aftermath of the Attack. A Small Clip included in the Video Captured the Side of a Missile Launcher. However, the Footage did Not include the Impact of the Drone, but it did Cut to the Aftermath.

The Clip that followed Showed what appeared to be the Position where the First Drone Hit the Launcher in the Russian Column. Unfortunately, the Damage Inflicted on the Launcher was Unclear. The Drone that Captured this Footage Attacked Another Launcher. The Clip that followed showed what appeared to be the Position where the First Drone Hit the Launcher in the Russian Column. Unfortunately, the Damage Inflicted on the Launcher was Unclear. The Drone that Captured this Footage Attacked another Launcher.

Based on the Footage, it is likely that at least One of the Missile Launcher systems Hit in the Attack was Destroyed, and it is possible a Second was Damaged. The Footage does Show One of the systems Burning before it ends. “The engagement appears to have disrupted not only equipment but also the immediate readiness of the unit involved,” Defense Express Reported about the Russian Troops that were Lilled and Wounded in the Attack.

The Zircon is a Sea-based Hypersonic Missile that can reach Speeds of up to roughly 9,000-11,000 km/h (around 5,592 to 6,835 mp/h). It was Designed to Attack Naval and Ground-Based Targets and can Strike Targets from Approximately 400 to 1,000 km (about 48.5 to 621.4 miles) Away or Further, the Kyiv Post noted.

Zircon Missiles were Developed in the 2010s and then Officially entered Service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2023, making the Recent Loss of Two Missiles and the Launchers that Fired them a Major Win for Ukraine. "The army of the aggressor state uses 'Zircon' missiles from the 'Bastion' complex primarily to terrorize the civilian population of Ukraine, in particular, the southern and eastern regions," the HUR explained in its Statement, according to The Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv Independent noted that Crimea has been Occupied by Russia since 2014 and that the Peninsula was used as a Staging Ground for the Russian Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine has been Actively Targeting Military Aassets on the Peninsula, Degrading Russia's Air and Naval Power, as well as Russian Supply Routes in the Region.










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