--- title: "KRAKEN Operators Hit Russian Buk-M3 Air Defense System During Operation Vivaldi — 3rd Army Corps" description: "According to the 3rd Army Corps, KRAKEN drone operators hit a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system during Operation Vivaldi. The loss of the system reduces the enemy's frontline air defense capabilities." date: 2026-11-04T15:46:02.531Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/vsu-hits-buk-m3-operation-vivaldi tags: [ukraine-war, air-defense, buk-m3, military, drones, operation-vivaldi] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # KRAKEN Operators Hit Russian Buk-M3 Air Defense System During Operation Vivaldi — 3rd Army Corps ![Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system on tracked chassis in a field](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/vsu-porazili-buk-m3-operacia-vivaldi/vsu-porazili-buk-m3-operacia-vivaldi-1.webp) ## Key Points - The 3rd Army Corps reported the destruction of a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system by KRAKEN operators (21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment). - The strike was carried out as part of Operation Vivaldi. - The Buk-M3 is a medium-range multifunctional air defense system for intercepting aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. - According to analysts, Operation Vivaldi near Lyman could complicate the Russian offensive on Sloviansk. The 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported the destruction of a modern Russian Buk-M3 air defense system. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing representatives of the corps. According to the agency, unmanned systems operators of the MURAMASA unit from the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment KRAKEN, which is part of the 3rd Army Corps, detected and successfully struck the enemy anti-aircraft missile system as part of Operation Vivaldi. ### How the Operation Unfolded According to the corps' statement, the detection and striking of the air defense system were carried out by drone operators during active operations along the axis of Operation Vivaldi. The KRAKEN unit, specializing in the use of unmanned technologies, operated as part of the 3rd Army Corps. The report emphasizes that this is not the first result within the framework of large-scale operations in this direction: earlier, during the third season of Operation Vivaldi, the corps' warriors continued to liberate Ukrainian territories in the Donetsk region, where, according to the agency, quite a few invaders were taken prisoner. ### What is the Buk-M3 The Buk-M3 air defense system is a medium-range multifunctional air defense system. It is designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles, as well as to protect troops and military facilities from air attacks. As noted in the corps' report, the loss of such a key air defense asset significantly reduces the enemy's ability to protect its own forces directly on the battlefield. ### Strategic Context of Operation Vivaldi Operation Vivaldi is being conducted in the Lyman area and, according to analysts, could seriously complicate the Russian offensive on Sloviansk. Successful actions in this direction, including the destruction of air defense assets, are viewed as part of a broader strategy to weaken the enemy's defensive lines. The 3rd Army Corps continues combat operations in the Donetsk region, combining offensive actions with the destruction of objects that provide fire and air support to the enemy. ### Significance for the Frontline The destruction of the medium-range air defense system, according to the logic of the Ukrainian command, opens up additional opportunities for aviation and drone operations in the frontline zone, reducing the risk of losses from anti-aircraft fire. At the same time, independent confirmation of the destruction of this specific system by the enemy or neutral observers is absent in the provided materials, and the claim remains at the level of a report from one party to the conflict. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Операторы "Тройки" уничтожили современную российскую систему ПВО Бук-М3 (видео)](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatori-triyki-znishchili-suchasnu-rosiysku-1793806256.html) - Primary source: report from the 3rd Army Corps on the destruction of the Buk-M3 air defense system by KRAKEN operators during Operation Vivaldi. There is no independent confirmation in the provided materials. ## FAQ ### What air defense system was reported destroyed by the 3rd Army Corps? The Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system, which is a medium-range multifunctional air defense system. ### Who, according to the corps, struck the air defense system? MURAMASA operators from the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment KRAKEN, part of the 3rd Army Corps. ### As part of which operation did the strike take place? As part of Operation Vivaldi. ### Is the destruction of the system confirmed by independent sources? There is no independent or enemy confirmation in the provided materials; the claim is based on a report from one party to the conflict.