Ukrainian Drones Neutralize Strela-10—A Key Element of Russia’s Frontline Air Defense, Video

Operators from Ukraine’s 414th Unmanned Systems Brigade, known as “Birds of Madyar,” have destroyed a Russian Strela-10 short-range surface-to-air missile system using FPV drones, according to footage shared by the unit.

The drone strike was carried out by the Worms Busters subunit, which identified the Strela-10 while it was traveling on a road in daylight.

The initial drone strike hit the launcher, triggering the ignition of solid-fuel rocket motors inside the missile canisters mounted on top of the tracked vehicle.

The vehicle was immediately immobilized, and the Russian crew reportedly abandoned it. Follow-up drone strikes were conducted to complete the destruction. As a result, the vehicle caught fire, and internal explosions were observed, indicating probable total destruction.

The Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher, according to NATO designation) is a Soviet-era short-range air defense system mounted on an MT-LB tracked chassis. It is designed to protect ground forces and military infrastructure from low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs within visual range.

The system is capable of engaging targets up to 5 kilometers away and at altitudes of up to 3.5 kilometers. It uses dual-channel guidance with infrared and photocontrast targeting systems.

The latest Soviet variant, the Strela-10M3, includes an optical sight with two fields of view—one offering 35° with 1.8x magnification, and the other 15° with 3.75x magnification.

Ukrainian forces have previously reported multiple successful strikes against Strela-10 units using loitering munitions and FPV drones, as part of ongoing efforts to degrade Russian short-range air defense capabilities.

Earlier, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces used FPV drones to locate and destroy a rare Russian “Zemledelie” remote mine-laying system near the front line. The armored vehicle was hit multiple times during its attempted retreat and ultimately ignited, marking one of the few confirmed eliminations of this high-value engineering platform in the war.

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