Russia Hid a $50M Buk-M3 Beside an S-300V. Ukrainian Drones Found Both, Video

Ukraine’s Lasar’s Group special operations unit struck two Russian air defense systems—a Buk-M3 and an S-300V—after reconnaissance teams discovered both platforms concealed at the same location behind the front line.

The operation took place in the Kostiantynivka direction in late June, the National Guard unit reported on July 27.

Lasar’s Group analysts first collected information on possible Russian air defense positions and identified several locations where the equipment could have been hidden.

Aerial reconnaissance crews then flew deep beyond the line of contact to verify the intelligence. During the mission, they located a concealed position holding both systems.

Once the coordinates were confirmed, Ukrainian operators attacked the site using heavy bomber drones and FPV strike drones.

The Buk-M3 is one of the newer components of Russia’s layered air defense network. Introduced into service in 2016, it is designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones at distances of up to 70 kilometers, or roughly 43 miles, and altitudes reaching 35 kilometers.

Unlike earlier Buk variants, the Buk-M3 carries its missiles in sealed launch canisters. A single launcher can hold up to six ready-to-fire missiles and operate alongside separate transport and reload vehicles.

Open-source estimates place the cost of a Buk-M3 launcher at between $40 million and $50 million.

The S-300V is a tracked, long-range battlefield air and missile defense system. It was designed to protect Russian formations from ballistic missiles at ranges of roughly 30 to 40 kilometers, while also engaging aircraft and cruise missiles at distances of up to 100 kilometers.

Previously, Ukraine’s Phoenix unmanned systems unit destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system with a single low-cost drone while the launcher was moving through the Donetsk region.

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