Ukrainian forces cripple $100M Russian air defence with $500 drone

A short video of this successful attack on the Russian anti-aircraft system was released by the Ukrainian SBS (Unmanned Systems Forces) and shared on the official profile of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on the X platform. It was explained that a "bomb drone" costing approximately $500 was used in this night attack. This was emphasized intentionally, as the cost of a complete Russian Buk-M3 system can reach up to $100 million (the combat component alone, which was hit, costs several tens of millions of dollars).

According to a statement from the Ukrainian SBS, their operators successfully identified and eliminated a Buk-M3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system launcher. This incident highlights the power of modern technology, as ammunition costing only $500 was able to take out a critical element of the enemy’s air defence system, which, when fully equipped, is valued at approximately $100 million.

The location of the event was not disclosed, but it was reported that Russian equipment was hit about 60 kilometres from the front line. This is quite unusual, as drones dropping ammunition do not typically operate over such long distances.

Although, in this case, the Ukrainians highlight the cost differences between the ammunition used and the armaments destroyed, the loss of any Buk-M3 system is significant for the Russians, and the circumstances are secondary. This is equipment of which they have a relatively small stock.

The Buk-M3 started entering service with the Russian army in 2016 and remains one of the more modern weapons of its kind in its arsenal. This system's radar can detect targets from a distance of up to 160 kilometres. The range of the associated launchers extends up to 69 kilometres in terms of distance and up to about 30 kilometres in terms of altitude at which targets move. Each launcher has six missile effector units, with warheads weighing around 65 kilograms. The launchers are mounted on a tracked chassis.