According to newly-shared frontline videos, Ukrainian military forces have conducted successful operations against two Russian air defense systems, the medium-range BUK M2 and the short-range Tor.
The 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion, in cooperation with the 78th Airborne Assault Regiment “Herts,” targeted a Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system in Kursk Oblast using HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). The 413th Battalion reported the strike on their Telegram channel with the caption: “Kursk. We are clearing the sky of parasites. Buk M3 SAM.”
According to Militarnyi, video footage of the operation shows that the drone crew discovered two vehicles from the Buk-M3 system – a 9A316M TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) and a 9A317M TELAR (Transporter Erector Launcher and Radar). The video reportedly shows one of the launchers attempting to leave its position before being directly hit by a GMLRS rocket.
X user EjShahid geolocated the strike location as southeast of Rylsk in Kursk Oblast.
In a separate operation, drone operators from the 77th Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully targeted a Russian Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system. The Telegram channel Sternenko reported on this attack, sharing video footage of the strike, according to Militarnyi.
The Telegram channel reported that a Russian surface-to-air missile (SAM) system was revealed after it downed a Ukrainian FPV (First Person View) drone. In response, soldiers from the Attack Drone Company “Rubaka” of the 77th Airmobile Brigade deployed a second drone, successfully targeting the SAM system. After the strike, the Russian Tor-M2 system was seen smoking and attempting to retreat from its position, while a Ukrainian drone continued to pursue it.
These recent operations follow a long series of similar strikes against Russian air defense systems.
- On 21 September 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released a video showing the destruction of another Russian Buk-M3 SAM using a Switchblade 600 loitering munition. On 30 August 2024, a photo of a destroyed Buk-M3 in Kherson region was also released.
- In August, Militarnyi reported that the 77th Airmobile Brigade’s FPV drones had successfully destroyed multiple Russian air defense systems.
Related:
- ISW: Ukraine advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russians gain ground near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk
- Ukraine confirms using US-made weapons to strike pontoon bridges in Russia
- ISW: Ukraine advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russians gain ground near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk
- Ukraine destroys Russia’s BUK surface-to-air missile launcher, damages two more radar-equipped launchers
- Ukrainian troops receive upgraded Buk-M1 air defense systems, using American RIM-7 missiles
- Ukraine struck Russia with HIMARS just hours after the ban was lifted
