The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced on 14/9 that its special forces destroyed a 9K317M Buk-M3 air defense system belonging to the Russian military. The GUR described the Buk-M3 as a "high-value target" deployed near the village of Oleksandrivka in Zaporizhzhia province.
The GUR released infrared drone footage showing the unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) approaching a Buk-M3 launcher in an open area. The video, which cuts off before impact, does not show the aftermath of the attack.
Ukrainian military analysis website Militarnyi stated, "Without additional video, it's unclear if the system was completely destroyed or only damaged. However, the drone targeted the most valuable component, the launcher, which will likely require extensive repairs." The type of drone used in the attack is unknown, but Militarnyi reported that this model is frequently deployed by Kyiv for strikes behind enemy lines, particularly in Crimea. There, Ukrainian forces have targeted air defense systems, radar installations, aircraft, and ships.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the incident.
Zaporizhzhia is one of four provinces, along with Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson, that Russia claimed to have annexed in 9/2022. According to Reuters, Russia currently controls approximately 74% of Zaporizhzhia province.
The Buk air defense system, originating in the Soviet Union in the 1970s, has undergone several upgrades, the latest being the Buk-M3. Produced by Russian defense corporation Almaz-Antey and introduced in 2019, the Buk-M3 is designed to engage fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. It can track and engage 36 targets simultaneously.
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Buk-M3 air defense system launcher in Zaporizhzhia province in 2023. Photo: *RIA Novosti* |
The Buk-M3's missiles are housed in sealed launch containers and have a range of 70 km, a significant improvement over the Buk-M2, which has a 50 km range and carries four exposed missiles.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine has repeatedly claimed to have destroyed Russian Buk air defense systems, including a Buk-M3 in May.
Pham Giang (*Kyiv Independent, Militarnyi, Reuters*)
