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Rare Russian Buk-M3 “Viking” and Zoopark Radar Systems Destroyed by Ukraine, Video
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed two of Russia’s advanced radar systems—the Zoopark counter-battery radar and the 9S36M “Viking” targeting radar from the Buk-M3 air defense complex—using low-cost, first-person-view (FPV) drones, the Ukrainian military reported on June 22.
The strikes, carried out in separate precision attacks, eliminated systems worth over $24 million (Zoopark) and part of a $45 million Buk-M3 air defense system, further eroding Russia’s battlefield situational awareness and air defense capabilities.
Video confirmations of both strikes were released by Ukrainian drone operators and military units, showing the destruction of highly prized—and increasingly rare—Russian radar assets.
The first confirmed kill came from the UA_REG TEAM drone unit, which targeted a Russian 1L219 “Zoopark” counter-battery radar. The drone hit the system directly during its deployment phase, slamming into the antenna array.
“After such a strike, the entire radar system requires a complete replacement of its radar components,” the unit noted.
The “Zoopark” is a cornerstone of Russian artillery operations, used to locate enemy guns, mortars, and rocket systems by tracking incoming fire.
Each system costs an estimated $24 million, and according to open-source intelligence tracker Oryx, Russia has now lost 24 units of this type since the start of the full-scale invasion.
It can detect both Soviet-standard 152mm and NATO-standard 155mm artillery systems at ranges of up to 23 kilometers.
Оператори 14-го окремого полку БпАК Сил безпілотних систем спільно з іншими Силами оборони виявили та знищили рідкісну РЛС 9С36М Вікінг, що входить до складу комплексу Бук-М3.
— 14th UAS Regiment (@14reg_army) June 21, 2025
Після знищення ходової частини цілі, на ураження вилетіли 2 FPV дрони полку з кумулятивною частиною.… pic.twitter.com/ah6cZCGJbn
In a separate operation, Ukraine’s 14th Separate UAV Regiment confirmed the destruction of a 9S36M “Viking” radar unit—part of the Buk-M3 medium-range surface-to-air missile system.
Operators first immobilized the system’s chassis and then launched two FPV drones carrying shaped charges, which rendered the radar inoperable.
“This rare radar was detected and destroyed by operators of the 14th UAV Regiment in coordination with other defense forces,” the Ukrainian military said in a statement. “The FPV drones ensured that the radar was fully disabled.”
Only 11 Viking radar units are believed to have been lost by Russia so far, according to available estimates—6 from Buk-M2 systems and 5 from the Buk-M3 series—making this latest strike especially valuable.
Earlier, Ukraine’s 413th “Raid” Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion released video evidence showing the destruction of two advanced Russian radar systems, reportedly 1K148 “Yastreb-AV” units, with an estimated total value of $500 million.
