Ukrainian military intelligence operatives have identified and struck a self-propelled fire unit from the Buk-M3 air defense system on occupied territory in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported on 15 September.

The HUR press service published video footage of the strike, which targeted the air defense system near the settlement of Oleksandrivka on temporarily occupied territory in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, more than 50 kilometers from the front line.

The drone aimed at “the most valuable part of the air defense system,” according to the intelligence agency’s statement. While objective control footage cannot definitively confirm whether the complex was completely destroyed or only damaged, “even in the case of ‘only’ damage, the machine will require major repairs,” HUR reports.

This type of drone typically conducts attacks on deep rear positions, particularly targeting temporarily occupied Crimea, where they have already destroyed numerous air defense assets, radars, several aircraft and helicopters, and struck several boats and ships, according to the intelligence directorate.

The latest strike follows a 10 September operation when HUR special forces used a drone to hit a Russian multifunctional Project MPSV07 vessel.

“At the moment of the attack, the enemy ship was conducting radio-electronic reconnaissance and patrolling the approaches to Novorossiysk Bay, where the Russians base the remnants of their Black Sea Fleet,” the intelligence agency reported.