Ukrainian forces strike $45 million Russian Buk-M3 air defense system during Operation Vivaldi
Ukrainian drone operators struck a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system worth an estimated $45 million during Operation Vivaldi, an ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine's Third Army Corps reported on November 4.
The system was tracked and targeted by operators from the MURAMASA unit of the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment KRAKEN, according to the corps, which released footage of the strike.
The Buk-M3 is one of Russia's more advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones. It is used to protect Russian troops, command posts and military infrastructure from aerial attacks.
The Third Army Corps described the strike as another confirmed hit on Russian military equipment. The full extent of the system's damage could not be independently verified.
The strike took place as part of Operation Vivaldi, a Ukrainian counteroffensive near Lyman in northern Donetsk region.
Third Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi publicly confirmed the operation on September 15. According to Ukrainian military statements, its first two phases recaptured 176 square kilometers of territory, followed by another 51 square kilometers in the third phase and 101 square kilometers in the fourth.
That brings the total territory reportedly recaptured during the operation to 328 square kilometers (127 square miles). The Ukrainian military has also claimed Russian personnel losses of 8,000 during the operation. These figures have not been independently verified.
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