Ukraine Destroys Russian-Controlled Radio Telescope in Crimea

A large radio telescope in Crimea, the RT-70, was destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike. The telescope, originally used for interplanetary missions and attempts to contact extraterrestrial civilizations, had come under the control of the Russian military after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Ukrainian forces targeted the 70-meter parabolic dish to prevent Russia from using it for military purposes, specifically the Glonass navigation system. The attack took place in late August, with the kamikaze drone hitting the central 200-kilowatt transmitter. According to Defense Express, the transmitter was custom-built and difficult to replace.

The Yevpatoria RT-70 was one of two RT-70 telescopes built by the Soviet Union. It was used for Venera program communications and ESA missions. Other astronomical facilities in Crimea, such as the Shain telescope, are also under Russian control. A radio telescope in Kherson suffered severe damage from Russian bombings.

According to UNESCO, the damage to Ukrainian scientific infrastructure amounts to $1.26 billion.