Ukrainian unmanned systems operators destroyed russian air defense asset during a precision strike carried out overnight on March 10, 2026. The operation was conducted by pilots from the 1st Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine using a domestically produced FP-2 middle-strike drone equipped with a large warhead.
According to the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, the strike targeted and destroyed russian Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system. The drone used in the attack carried a 60-100 kg warhead, enabling it to deliver a powerful strike capable of disabling heavy military equipment.
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The targeted system was located on temporarily occupied territory in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian operators detected the air defense system and successfully engaged it with the FP-2 strike platform during a nighttime mission, demonstrating the growing role of long-range unmanned systems in counter-air-defense operations.
The Buk-M1 is a self-propelled medium-range air defense system designed to intercept maneuvering aerodynamic targets. It is capable of engaging cruise missiles, guided bombs, aircraft, helicopters, and drones at altitudes ranging from about 30 meters up to 18,000 meters, even in conditions of heavy electronic countermeasures.
Because of these capabilities, Buk systems remain a key component of russian layered air defense networks protecting high-value assets and frontline troop concentrations. Their destruction can create gaps in coverage that make other military targets more vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes.
Video footage released from the operation also showed several additional targets being illuminated and attacked by operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces. These strikes reportedly took place across multiple temporarily occupied areas.
According to the report, Ukrainian drone crews conducted additional engagements in Crimea as well as in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The footage suggests coordinated drone activity aimed at degrading russian military infrastructure across a wide operational area.
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