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Ukraine Destroys Russia's Buk-M3 Armor: Is S-400 Vulnerable to Drone Attacks?
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News18•05-10-2026, 05:01
Ukraine Destroys Russia's Buk-M3 Armor: Is S-400 Vulnerable to Drone Attacks?
- •Ukraine has decimated Russia's formidable Buk-M3 air defense system, drone bases, and electronic warfare units with continuous drone attacks.
- •The S-400 is a long-range defense system, while the Buk-M3 is a fast-moving frontline killer, making the S-400 less vulnerable to cheap drone attacks.
- •The Buk-M3 has an operational range of up to 70 kilometers and can intercept up to 35 kilometers altitude, while the S-400 has a 400-kilometer range and intercepts up to 30 kilometers altitude.
- •The Ukraine war demonstrates that even the most expensive air defense systems can become scrap without robust short-range cover and an electronic warfare (EW) shield.
- •India has learned crucial lessons, including not solely relying on the S-400, the need for short-range cover, and strengthening Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) technology.
Key Questions Answered
The Ukrainian army turned Russia's Buk-M3 system into rubble through continuous drone attacks, electronic jamming, precise drone swarms, and hypersonic attacks.
The Buk-M3 is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system with an operational range of up to approximately 70 kilometers, whereas the S-400 is a long-range mobile system capable of reaching up to 400 kilometers.
India has learned not to rely solely on the S-400, recognizing the need for a 'layered defense', short-range cover using MANPADS to protect against cheap drones, and strong electronic counter-measures.
