OSINT analysts: radar hit in Crimea by Ukrainian forces is export model for Iran
It has emerged that operatives from Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) struck a modern Russian solid-state digital radar of the 5N84AE2/AM type in Yevpatoriia in temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of 8-9 March. This version of the system was developed in Russia for export to the Middle East, particularly Iran.
Source: analysts from CyberBoroshno, a Ukrainian OSINT community
Details: The SOF identified the attacked radar as a 5N84A Oborona-14 radar, which the OSINT analysts believe the Russians modified from a P-14-type radar, likely captured from the Ukrainian Air Force.
Quote from CyberBoroshno: "This radar, although visually resembling the old one, in fact retains only the shape of the antenna from the previous model. By 2020, it was evident that the system had been completely modernised. And by 2024, the placement of an array of objects became visible, which may be modernised electronic warfare direction-finding antennas."
More details: The analysts believe the damaged radar was developed for export and as a modernised version of the 5N84 system for Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. For example, a radar of this type underpins long-range detection for S-200 and S-75 systems, which remain in service with some Middle Eastern militaries.
The 5N84AE2/AM radar attacked in Yevpatoriia was likely used by Russian forces to test new systems against NATO aircraft.
"It is likely that this particular radar station was used to test new systems in real combat conditions and during the operation of NATO reconnaissance aircraft and AWACS aircraft in order to later sell these developments to the countries mentioned above," the OSINT analysts explained.
Background: Oboronka, Ukrainska Pravda's defence industry-related media outlet, reported earlier that Ukraine's defence forces struck a 1L119 Nebo-SVU radar station near the temporarily occupied village of Lymarivka in Luhansk Oblast, which is worth about US$100 million. Ukrainian-made FP-2 drones also destroyed the Imbir, a rare Russian radar station.
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