Anna Hartz
Modern warfare is increasingly shaped by small and precise weapons. Drones now play a central role on the battlefield.
They are cheaper than traditional systems and can strike targets once thought to be well protected. This shift has changed how both sides operate in Ukraine and has exposed weaknesses in expensive military equipment.
A Rare Target
Ukraine has released a video showing a drone strike against a Russian Tunguska air defense vehicle, reports WP. The footage shows the drone dropping an explosive charge onto the front of the vehicle. A first blast is followed by another hit on the turret. Several secondary explosions can be seen. These are believed to be rockets from the system that detonated after the impact.
The attack was carried out by soldiers from the Lasar group of the Ukrainian National Guard. They were supported by the 34th Venom Unmanned Systems Center from the 39th Independent Coastal Defense Brigade of the Marine Corps. Ukrainian outlet United24 Media reports that the Tunguska system was completely destroyed during the operation.
The 2S6 Tunguska is a rare target in the war. According to the open source group Oryx, Russia has lost at least eleven of these systems since the full invasion began. Three more were damaged and one was captured. By comparison, Russia has lost at least twenty nine Pantsir S1 air defense systems.
15 Million Dollar System
A single Tunguska system is estimated to cost around fifteen million dollars. It is designed to protect armored units while they move and fight. The system combines surface to air missiles with rapid fire cannons on one platform. This setup allows it to engage targets at different distances and heights.
The Tunguska is armed with two twin 30 millimeter cannons that can fire up to five thousand rounds per minute. It also carries 9M311 missiles with a range of up to eight kilometers and a flight ceiling of three and a half kilometers. The system can fire while moving and uses radar, navigation tools, and identification systems to track targets.
Reaction time from detection to engagement is estimated at six to eight seconds. Despite these capabilities, the loss shows how vulnerable even advanced systems can be to drone attacks. Earlier in the war, Ukraine also confirmed the destruction of a Mi 26 heavy transport helicopter. That strike marked the first verified loss of that aircraft type in the conflict.
Sources: WP
