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Ukrainian FPV Drones Hunts Down Russian $45 Million Buk Air Defense System, Video
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Ukrainian drone operators from the 413th “Raid” Battalion carried out a precision strike on key components of a Russian Buk air defense system, worth $45 million, using FPV drones, the battalion’s press service reported on May 25.
The released footage shows Ukrainian drones targeting and damaging a 9A310M1 self-propelled launcher belonging to the Buk-M1 system. The strike appears to have occurred while the system was being refueled—an inference drawn from the presence of a nearby truck believed to be a fuel tanker.
💥 Ukrainian FPV drone pilots struck a Russian Buk missile system, targeting both its radar and launcher.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) May 25, 2025
Later, additional FPV drones also hit a 9S36 radar, a key component of the Buk-M2 system. pic.twitter.com/7UcFKEWg1u
One of the drones scored a direct hit on the radar station. Following the impact, the launcher attempted to retreat, but a second drone caught up with it and struck the missile rails—specifically where the surface-to-air missile’s engine would normally be located.
The battalion also reported a successful strike on a 9S36 radar station, part of the more modern Buk-M2 system. Both targets were hit using FPV drones armed with shaped charge warheads capable of penetrating armor.
“It’s likely both systems are now out of operation and will require full radar replacement,” the battalion stated.
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.
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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")
