The war in Ukraine presses on as both sides look for every possible advantage they can get.
While NATO keeps sending more and more arms to Kyiv, Russia escalated its attacks and he even has the gaul to attack major cities in Ukriane – killing scores of innocent civilians in the process.
What happens now? Will Puitn ever back off? Can a peace deal be achieved?
We know one thing is clear – we can watch the war unfold online thanks to the rise of social media.
Kamikaze Strike: Watch Russian Missile Systems Get Hit By Ukrainian Loitering Munitions –
Videos shared on Telegram and Twitter back in March show Ukrainian SBU Alpha loitering munition strikes on Russian missile systems in Ukraine.
The two videos, which appear to have been recorded by drones, reveal how loitering munition strikes can easily take out both a Russian TOR-M2 9A331M TLAR and an S-300 surface-to-air missile system.
In the first video, the loitering munition approaches the missile system, which is partially hidden by bushes and trees in a hedgerow between two agricultural fields.
When the loitering munition strikes the missile system, it creates a large explosion. The video also offers a look at the UI used by Ukrainian drone operators.
The videos were uploaded initially to Ukrainian Telegram channels and later reshared on Twitter.
“Video of Ukrainian SBU Alpha loitering munition strikes (including RAM II) on Russian Tor-M2 9A331M TLARs and a S-300V -series 9A83 -series TELAR,” analyst Rob Lee writes on Twitter.
A translation of the Telegram post that shared the first clip describes how SBU special forces struck the missile systems in retaliation for Russian missile strikes.
“SBU special forces destroyed the Russian TOR M2 and S-300VM air defense systems with kamikaze drones ????,” the post reads.
“In response to every Russian ‘retaliatory missile strike’ we will strike real retaliation – to destroy the occupiers, their bases and equipment!” the post continues.
In the second video, Russian vehicles are seen moving along a dirt road. Moments later, the S-300V missile system is struck by a Ukrainian loitering munition, causing a large explosion. Plumes of gray smoke can then be seen rising into the air.
According to the Telegram post that accompanied the video, Ukrainian operators used RAM II kamikaze drones that were purchased with money donated to the war effort.
“RAM II kamikaze drones purchased with your money are impressive Russian Thor M2,” the post reads.
The post continues, describing how the Thor missile system is “dangerous” for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft.
Video of Ukrainian SBU Alpha loitering munition strikes (including RAM II) on Russian Tor-M2 9A331M TLARs and a S-300V -series 9A83 -series TELAR. https://t.co/6zrj6hXcPRhttps://t.co/rDS8meWnDs pic.twitter.com/X79SdTk4q3
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) March 19, 2023
“This complex is dangerous for the operation of our UAVs and aviation. Can cause serious damage. Back in 2020, our Boeing 737 was shot down by Thor in Iran. 176 people died then.
The cost of one SAM is about 24 million dollars,” the post explains.
Jack Buckby is 19FortyFive’s Breaking News Editor. He is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
