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Ukrainian Special Forces Destroy $45M Russian Buk-M3 Air Defense System and Rare Uragan MLRS
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) have destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system and a rare Uragan multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) during a coordinated drone and missile strike.
According to official statements and published footage, the 3rd SOF Regiment’s tactical unit “Mediiv” detected a Russian Uragan-1 MLRS deployed alongside a Buk-M3 air defense vehicle. The Buk was reportedly providing cover for the artillery system.
#Ukraine’s SOF destroyed advanced russian Buk-M3 missile system and Uragan-1 Uragan-1 multicaliber 220/300mm MLRS using loitering munitions. Special operators spotted both advanced pieces of russian military hardware during a special reconnaissance mission. pic.twitter.com/Qnv7IyBZQg
— SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) May 13, 2025
To neutralize the protective layer, Ukrainian operators first deployed a strike drone targeting the Buk-M3 system, resulting in a detonation of its onboard ammunition. The destruction of the air defense asset cleared the way for further attacks.
Subsequently, multiple strike drones targeted the Uragan-1 launcher. A precision-guided missile strike—likely from a HIMARS system—followed, effectively eliminating both vehicles.
The Buk-M3, valued at approximately $45 million, is a modern Russian medium-range air defense system introduced in 2016. It is designed to engage aerial, naval, and ground-based targets under electronic warfare conditions. The system is a successor to the Buk-M2 and considered one of the Russian military’s key air defense assets.
The Uragan-1 system destroyed in the operation was mounted on a BAZ-69092 chassis with an armored cabin and upgraded navigation equipment. Despite its recent entry into service in late 2023, it remains rare within Russian artillery units. The majority of comparable systems still rely on outdated Soviet-era platforms.
Earlier, Ukraine successfully tested the Queen Hornet—an FPV drone equipped with a Bulgarian Bulspike-AP grenade launcher—marking the first documented kill of a Russian soldier using such a system, according to Wild Hornets.
