The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, acting in conjunction with the Russian rebel movement "Chernaya Iskra" (Black Spark), have launched a devastating strike against Russian forces, destroying the newest Russian Buk-M3 air defense system and hitting the Nebo-U radar station. The operation, which is alleged to have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, represents a serious blow to Moscow's military potential and calls into question the effectiveness of the Russian defense system.
According to an official statement from the Ukrainian SSO, the operation was conducted in the Rostov region of Russia on September 28. What followed was an explosive event that left lasting impressions. "As a result, the Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system and the Nebo-U early warning radar station were turned into scrap in the Rostov region," the SSO statement, published via the Telegram platform, states. The destruction of these key systems is of extreme importance, given their critical role in protecting Russian positions.
The two systems that were destroyed pose a significant threat to Ukrainian combat aviation near the front lines, while also hindering the possibility of striking deep into Russian territory. The SSO emphasizes that each of the destroyed systems costs several hundred million dollars, which underscores the seriousness of the damage inflicted.
The destroyed systems are of key importance for Russian defense. The Buk-M3 is a medium-range anti-aircraft missile system designed to strike aircraft, cruise missiles and other aerial or ground targets. It is an upgraded version of the previous Buk-M2 model, with improved electronics and the ability to hit targets at a distance of up to 80 km. According to data from the US Army, the Buk-M3 reaches a maximum rocket speed of 1550 m/s, an effective range of up to 70 km and a minimum range between 2 and 2.5 km, depending on the rockets used. Nebo-U, in turn, is a Russian long-range radar station using the meter range, which serves for early warning and surveillance by both the air and ground forces.
This strike is part of a series of operations targeting the Russian Buk air defense systems. According to a publication in the Kyiv Post, since the beginning of 2024, the Ukrainian SSO has been systematically attacking Russian Buk complexes, using a combination of drone strikes, artillery fire and intelligence to destroy Russia's multi-layered defense network.
In past operations, Ukrainian forces have used FPV drones to strike Buk-M2 installations hidden in forests, causing explosions. In addition, two Buk-M3 systems were detected and their radars destroyed, which significantly limited their ability to observe and guide missiles. In mid-May, the SSO destroyed another Buk-M3 system and a Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system in a new drone strike. According to a statement from the SSO, these systems were discovered during a reconnaissance mission in an active combat zone, without specifying the exact location. These actions reveal the increasing ability of Ukrainian forces to launch precision strikes against Russian military assets, calling into question the effectiveness of Russian air defense.