FILE IMAGE: Sergei Bobylev/TASS
Russia’s advanced Buk-M3 “Viking” medium-ran air-defense system has been spotted in Ukraine for the first time since the begging of the Russian special military operation in the country.
On March 20, Russian sources shared a video showing the system moving in of Ukraine. Some observers speculated that the footage were taken in the southern Kherson Oblast. However, this is yet to be verified.
#RussiaUkraine
Undated Rus Compilation video, Likely shows a column in the Kherson region at the start of March pic.twitter.com/QtN2NUNadE— Tony (@Cyberspec1) March 20, 2022
Few stills:
It appears that the 9K317M (Buk-M3 Viking) is in action:
9A317M TELAR
9S36M TAR
9A316 TEL
On 9A316 one 9R31M missile is missing. It is either launched or not put intentionally. pic.twitter.com/BqYTLQi1YD— Mike Mihajlovic (@MihajlovicMike) March 20, 2022
The Buk-M3 is the latest production version of the Buk family of medium-range air-defense systems, which is developed by Russia’s defense giant Almaz-Antey.
The air-defense system has an effective range of 70 kilometers and a maximum engagement altitude of 35 kilometers. It can track up to 35 aerial targets. The system’s 9А317М TELAR [transporter erector launcher and radar] vehicle can be armed with up to six 9M317M missiles.
The older versions of the Buk system, the M1 and M2, has been already spotted with Russian forces in Ukraine. The M1 version has a range of 35 km kilometers and maximum engagement altitude of 22 kilometers, while the M2 version has a range of 45 kilometers and a top engagement altitude of 25 kilometers.
Click to see full-size image.
The Russian military has been relying on mobile short and medium-range air-defense systems to protect its forces in Ukraine from different aerial threats.
According to the most recent briefing by the Russian Ministry of Defense, at least 364 warplanes and drones have been shot down by the Russian military since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine.
