- Category
- Latest news
Ukrainian Drones Destroy $50M Worth of Russian Buk and Tor Air Defense Systems, Video
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian drone operators from the Shadow 59 unit of the 59th Assault Brigade released video footage of a successful operation targeting Russian Buk and Tor air defense systems on May 29.
During a reconnaissance mission, a Shark UAV crew from the Shadow unit located a cluster of Russian air defense assets: two Buk systems, one Tor system, and a mobile personnel group.
According to the unit, the Tor system—a short-range surface-to-air missile platform used to intercept drones and precision-guided munitions—was damaged earlier by friendly forces.
One Buk system, which can engage aircraft and cruise missiles up to 70 kilometers away, was destroyed by a suicide drone from the 14th Unmanned Aviation Complex Regiment.
A second drone strike eliminated a Russian “Bukhanka” personnel vehicle, likely killing the soldiers inside.
The Tor system, known for defending high-value targets against aerial threats, is estimated to cost between $25 and $30 million. The Buk system carries a similar strategic role at longer ranges and is valued at $20 to $25 million.
-91f3c94b7f71aa0d6caf03911fd78930.png)
Earlier, reports emerged that the 14th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment, in coordination with the 15th “Black Forest” Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, successfully identified and struck multiple Russian air defense targets deep behind enemy lines last month.
According to Ukraine’s Drone Systems Command, the units destroyed a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and a command-and-control vehicle belonging to a Russian SAM battalion. They also struck a Tor short-range air defense system and a modified S-300 medium-range SAM system.
The Tor, used for short-range protection against drones and precision munitions, is estimated to cost between $25 and $30 million.
In total, the combined value of the eliminated and damaged equipment is estimated between $65 and $100 million.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
