Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Buk-M3 and Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Systems in Zaporizhzhia Region

Drones operated by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence struck Russian air defense systems in the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region, the agency’s press service reported.

Published video footage captures a Russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and gun system firing a missile at an approaching drone, which misses.

The crew then attempts to shoot it down using 30 mm anti-aircraft guns. The drone’s first strike attempt also fails. Believing escape was more viable than continued engagement, the Russian crew started repositioning the vehicle.

On the drone’s second approach, it successfully hits the Pantsir-S1’s combat module. While the extent of the damage is unclear due to the lack of independent verification footage, the strike appears to have disabled a key component of the system, likely requiring significant repairs.

The second target was a Buk-M3 self-propelled firing unit. According to the footage, the drone struck the radar section of the launcher, rendering it inoperable without extensive repairs.

Ukrainian drones also attempted to strike a 9S19 Imbir radar unit from an S-300V air defense system. However, based on the footage, a direct hit was not achieved.

The specific type of drone used in these operations was not disclosed. However, based on the interface visible in the videos, they appear to be the same drone models DIU previously employed in strikes against Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea.

Earlier operations using these drones were reported on March 19, when kamikaze UAVs destroyed three Pantsir-S1 systems and a Mi-8 helicopter.

Additional damage was recorded to radar systems, including two 48Ya6-K1 Podlet radars, two 1L125 Niobiy-SV radars, and three 39N6 Kasta 2E2 radars — all used for tracking and targeting aerial threats.

On April 1, Ukrainian intelligence released footage showing DIU drones targeting a Tor-M2 air defense system and several Russian boats in Crimea.

In May, the same drones were used to destroy a train carrying fuel for Russian equipment in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region.