Ukrainian troops set new record in destroying Russian air defense systems - Defense Express

As reported by Defense Express, this success is particularly notable given the use of drones and apparently new tactics.

On October 23, Ukrainian drone pilots successfully located and destroyed a launcher from the latest version of the Russian Buk system.

On the night of October 25, Ukrainian UAVs found and destroyed another Buk-M3 system and a 9S36 Buk-M2 radar station that helps guide missiles. These systems were located in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, just a few kilometers from the front line, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Defense Express notes that Ukrainian drone attack tactics have proven to be cost-effective. For example, a Ukrainian multicopter bomber can approach a Russian position and drop a $500 munition on a Russian air defense system worth millions.

Previously, the Ukrainian military primarily targeted these air defense systems using HIMARS artillery. However, drone tactics have shown that similar effective results can be achieved with much cheaper methods.

• This year, the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated 10,373 Russian artillery systems, including self-propelled artillery systems, howitzers, and cannons. Such losses cost Russia at least USD 8 billion.