In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian military has declared the destruction of a Russian Yastreb-AV counterbattery radar system. This comes just hours after Moscow announced the deployment of the same artillery-seeking system in the war-torn region.

On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry revealed that its troops were utilizing the advanced Yastreb-AV radar system in Ukraine. Designed to detect various artillery systems, including the U.S.-provided HIMARS, as well as howitzers and mortars commonly used by Ukrainian fighters, this system aimed to enhance artillery fire efficiency and battlefield survivability.

The Yastreb-AV features a cutting-edge phased array antenna for reconnaissance of artillery firing positions, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. It functions alongside other counterbattery systems deployed by Russia in Ukraine, such as the Zoopark set of systems.

However, Ukraine swiftly retaliated by targeting a Yastreb-AV system in the southern part of the country. Ukrainian special forces claimed to have successfully struck the radar system with one of their HIMARS artillery systems - the very type that the Yastreb-AV is designed to detect. A video released by Ukraine's military showed a reconnaissance drone tracking the Yastreb-AV before the moment of impact, providing evidence of the system's destruction.

The Ukrainian military has not disclosed the number of Yastreb-AV systems in use, but it had previously reported the destruction of one such system in August. The cost of each Yastreb-AV system is estimated to be around $250 million, significantly higher than the Zoopark radar systems previously targeted by Ukraine.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified the focus on counterbattery radar systems, with both sides endeavoring to neutralize the artillery systems posing threats to their troops. As the war nears its two-year mark, Ukraine's successful targeting of Russian radar systems could have a disproportionate impact on the effectiveness of Russian operations, experts suggest.

Over the past months, Ukraine has publicized several reports of successful strikes against Russian radar systems. Ukrainian officials have applauded the reported destruction of the costly Zoopark counterbattery radar systems, which are estimated to be worth $10 million each. The UK government confirmed in mid-July 2023 that only a few Zooparks remain operational since their deployment by Russia into Ukraine.

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment and clarification regarding the recent developments.

As the conflict continues, the quest to identify and neutralize counterbattery radar systems becomes increasingly vital for Ukraine's defense strategy. The destruction of a Yastreb-AV system signifies Ukraine's determination to take the fight to Russia and disrupt their military operations in the region.