Drone “hunts” Russian Tornado-S system mid-bombardment in Zaporizhzhia as explosion is captured on video
A Russian multiple launch rocket system was destroyed at the exact moment it was carrying out a bombardment against the Zaporizhzhia region. The operation was conducted by the 1st Center of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, which successfully located and neutralized the target with surgical precision.
The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign “Magyar,” announced the destruction on his official Telegram channel. According to him, the strike took place on February 21, 2026, while the system was firing rockets toward the region.
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Drone tracked launches in real time
According to released information, the attack drone was recording the rocket launches during the bombardment. Based on the captured trajectories, it was possible to instantly calculate the exact position of the Russian launcher.
The identified equipment was a modernized version of the traditional Soviet Smerch — known as the Tornado-S. It is a digitized system featuring significant improvements in accuracy, guidance, and range.
Once the position was confirmed, the drone struck directly at the launch rails. The impact caused an immediate fire on the platform, followed by detonations of the vehicle’s own onboard ammunition.
War in Ukraine
120 km-Range System Becomes Target and Explodes After Ukrainian Counterattack
Telegram @robert_magyar pic.twitter.com/QxlO0C82iE
— saibadetudo.com.br (@saibadetudo25) February 22, 2026
Tornado-S: long-range weapon
The Tornado-S is considered an evolution of the older Smerch system. Its developers integrated digital systems and satellite-guided munitions, increasing operational range to up to 120 kilometers.
This type of system has been used for saturation attacks and long-range bombardments. According to Ukrainian authorities, it had been actively employed against areas of Zaporizhzhia and surrounding regions.
Fourth unit destroyed
This marks the fourth installation of this type to be neutralized since the start of the full-scale invasion. The first confirmed loss occurred in the fall of 2022 in the Kharkiv region. The second was destroyed the following year, with video released in September 2023.
The elimination of the Tornado-S during its own bombardment represents a significant operational blow, especially considering the expanded range and precision of the modernized system.
Source and images: Telegram @robert_magyar | militarnyi. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
