Ukrainian strike drones have destroyed an estimated £100 million worth of Russian radar and air defence systems in occupied Crimea, delivering another major blow to Vladimir Putin’s military capabilities. The assault, carried out by the special unit of Ukraine’s military intelligence service (GUR) known as PRYMARY, targeted key sites in the Russian-occupied peninsula’s deep rear.

According to reports from Ukrainian outlet Censor.NET, two S-300V surface-to-air missile system launchers were destroyed, along with four high-value radar assets: the Obzor-3, Kasta-2E2, ST-68, and Inbir. The scale and precision of the operation suggest deep intelligence penetration and improved long-range drone capabilities — both of which have increasingly allowed Ukraine to hit strategic Russian positions far beyond the front line. While the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has not officially commented on the cost of the destroyed assets, military analysts estimate that the combined value of the systems could easily exceed £100 million, based on known export and replacement costs.

Anton Geraschenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry, posting on X, said: "Drones of the PRYMARY special unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine destroyed expensive Russian radar stations and missile systems in the deep rear of the occupied Crimea."

Destroyed equipment included an ST-68 radar station, a Kasta-2E2 radar station, a 9S15M Obzor-3 radar station, a S-300V missile systems and a 9S32 Imbir radar station, he claimed.

The strike comes as US officials continue to quietly explore the possibility of brokering a ceasefire, with the Trump administration agreeing a minerals partnership with Kyiv this week.

The aim of the deal is to secure access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of critical minerals — including lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements — in exchange for deeper strategic cooperation and potential leverage in bringing the conflict to a close.

US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed interest in brokering what he has described as a “big deal” to end the war, though many close to the talks believe his expectations may be misplaced.

Ukrainian and Western officials have repeatedly warned that Mr Putin cannot be trusted to honour any agreement unless Russia is first forced to the negotiating table by continued military pressure.

Despite growing calls in some quarters of Washington and Brussels for a diplomatic off-ramp, Ukrainian President Mr Volodymyr Zelensky has remained firm in his position that any peace must include the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity — including the return of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

The GUR's strike is the latest in a series of attacks designed to degrade Russian air defences ahead of potential summer operations.

Ukrainian forces have also stepped up targeting of supply depots, oil infrastructure and command centres in recent weeks, particularly inside occupied areas and across the border in Russia's Belgorod and Kursk regions.

The destruction of advanced radar systems like the Obzor-3 and ST-68 is likely to weaken Russia’s ability to detect incoming missiles and drones, potentially paving the way for further deep strikes in the weeks ahead.