File image.
Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) fighter jets continue to hunt down Ukraine’s remaining air-defense systems and radar stations.
On April 9, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets of the VKS had destroyed a Ukrainian Buk-M1 air-defense system and a radar station with air-to-ground missiles.
“The crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ warplanes engaged in the mission detected, targeted and destroyed a radar station and a Buk-M1 missile system,” the statement reads.
The MoD released footage of the successful SEAD [Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses] mission, without revealing in which part of Ukraine it took place.
The Buk-M1 air-defense system and the unidentified radar station were apparently targeted with Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles.
Click to see full-size image.
Click to see full-size image.
An upgraded version of the Kh-31P, dubbed the Kh-31PK, was used to target the Buk-M1 system. This version has a maximum range of 120-160 kilometers and a top speed of Mach 2.6. It is also armed with an improve warhead equipped with a proximity fuse.
VKS fighter jets have been hunting down Ukrainian air-defense systems and radar stations with Kh-31P missiles since the beginning of the Russian special military operation.
According to the most recent briefing by the Russian MoD, Ukraine has lost at least 228 long and medium-range air-defense systems and radar stations since the beginning of the Russian special military operation. Now, NATO states are racing to supply Kiev with new air-defense systems. On April 8, Slovakia sent its only S-300PMU long-range air-defense system to Ukraine.
