Ukrainian forces strike Russian radar, EW and drone-coordination targets in Bryansk and Luhansk oblasts
On 4 September 2026, Ukrainian Defence Forces struck several Russian military targets, including a radar station, an electronic warfare complex, a mesh-network repeater used to coordinate drone attacks, and a unit repair base. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the strikes on 5 September and said the extent of the damage was being clarified.
Key points
- Strikes were carried out on 4 September 2026 and confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff on 5 September.
- A Russian radar station was hit in Kartushyn, Bryansk Oblast.
- An electronic warfare complex was struck near Pohary, Bryansk Oblast.
- A mesh-network repeater in Zlynka, Bryansk Oblast, used to coordinate Shahed-type drone attacks, was struck.
- A repair base of a Russian unit was struck in Sokologhirsk, Luhansk Oblast.
- The General Staff said the extent of the damage is being clarified.
Why it matters
The strikes targeted Russian intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare and drone-control infrastructure used against Ukraine. Hitting the mesh-network repeater is notable because Russian forces have relied on such networks to coordinate Shahed-type and reconnaissance drone strikes since autumn 2025, particularly after Starlink terminals previously used by Russian operators were blocked. The operation also demonstrates Ukrainian long-range strike capability reaching into Russian border regions.
What happened
On 4 September 2026, Ukrainian Defence Forces struck a series of Russian military targets in Bryansk and Luhansk oblasts. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, which confirmed the strikes on 5 September, the targets included a radar station in Kartushyn, an electronic warfare complex near Pohary, a mesh-network repeater in Zlynka used to coordinate Shahed-type drone attacks on Ukraine, and a repair base of a Russian unit in Sokologhirsk, Luhansk Oblast. The General Staff said the extent of the damage is being clarified.
Background
Russian forces have used mesh-networks since autumn 2025 to control Shahed-type and reconnaissance drones, particularly after Starlink terminals used by Russian operators were blocked. According to Militarny, mesh-networks allow Russian drones during mass attacks to rapidly change routes to bypass Ukrainian air defence. Former defence ministry adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov (Flash) has described mesh-networks as one of the biggest challenges for Ukraine following that Starlink disruption. A separate Ukrainian General Staff report on 4 September had earlier mentioned a strike on a mesh-network repeater in Kursk Oblast.