Ukrainian drones strike S-400 air defense system guarding Putin's Gelendzhik residence

September 23, 2026 at 10:35 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Ukrainian drones struck the launch site of an S-400 Triumf air defense system protecting Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence near Gelendzhik, The Telegraph reported. The system is located approximately 19 kilometers from Putin's Italianate palace and is part of a layered defense that includes electronic warfare and mobile firing groups. The strike follows an August 8 launch of six missiles from the same complex toward Ukraine.

Key Facts

The S-400 system is located approximately 19 kilometers from Putin's palace near Gelendzhik.
The palace is surrounded by a 43.5 square kilometer buffer zone with electronic warfare and mobile firing groups.
On August 8, six missiles were launched from the struck complex toward Ukraine.
The palace complex includes a casino, vineyard, spa, ice palace, theater, hookah lounge, and a church added in 2023.
The Valdai residence is protected by at least 27 towers equipped with Pantsir air defense systems, each costing about 16 million pounds.

The Strike

Ukrainian drones hit the launch site of an S-400 Triumf air defense system protecting Putin's residence near Gelendzhik, The Telegraph reported. The system is located about 19 kilometers from the Italianate palace and operates alongside electronic warfare assets and mobile firing groups. Security services keep the airspace above the complex permanently closed to flights. On August 8, the same complex launched six missiles at Ukraine.

Palace Defenses

The palace is surrounded by a 43.5 square kilometer buffer zone protected by electronic warfare and mobile firing groups. The complex includes a casino, vineyard, spa, ice palace, theater, hookah lounge, and a church added in 2023. A 2021 investigation led by late opposition figure Alexei Navalny estimated the palace cost up to one billion pounds. Putin now prefers his Valdai lake dacha, which is guarded by at least 27 towers with Pantsir systems costing about 16 million pounds each.

Missile Use

Analysts say Moscow has shifted to using S-400 systems for strikes on Ukraine due to a serious shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. Oslo University missile technology expert Fabian Hoffmann said these missiles are less accurate and less destructive but still threaten civilian infrastructure, especially in densely populated areas.