This was reported by the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Troops on Telegram The Buk system was detected by artillery reconnaissance troops of the Chornyi Lis brigade and destroyed by neighboring units Khortytsia emphasized that the Buk-M3 is one of the key components of Russia’s air defense system with an estimated value of around $45 million “Each such explosion and destruction of vital enemy military equipment reduces the invading army’s capabilities on the battlefield for a prolonged period,” the Ukrainian military stated there were a total of 196 combat engagements along the front line over the past 24 hours While citing and using any materials on the Internet links to the website ukrinform.net not lower than the first paragraph are mandatory citing the translated materials of foreign media outlets is possible only if there is a link to the website ukrinform.net and the website of a foreign media outlet Materials marked as "Advertisement" or with a disclaimer reading "The material has been posted in accordance with Part 3 of Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising" No 1996 and the Law of Ukraine "On the Media" No 2023 and on the basis of an agreement/invoice Online media entity; Media identifier - R40-01421 The video shows the destruction of a russian Buk-M3 air defense system followed by the detonation of its ammunition The scouts of the 15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade and neighboring units were working "The Buk-M3 is one of the enemy's key air defense systems The estimated cost of the system is $45 million," the statement reads Reconnaissance troops from Ukraine’s Chornyi Lis (Black Forest) brigade struck a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system The cost of the complex exceeds $40 million "This fireworks show from ammunition detonation was the result of a precise strike on a modern Buk-M3 medium-range mobile air defense system belonging to the enemy army Detected by Chornyi Lis reconnaissance men destroyed by friendly units,” the brigade wrote The Buk-M3 is a modern Russian medium-range surface-to-air missile system It was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2016 the Buk-M3 features an improved control system Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost over 953,000 personnel Ukraine’s Defense Forces eliminated an additional 1,230 Russian troops This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Buk Chile-based human resources software provider raised a new Series B round of US$50M for a valuation of approximately US$850M Buk provides a platform for people management that automates administrative tasks enhancing the development of employees and facilitate their access to benefits that they really value The company currently has operations in Chile and Colombia Mexico and Brazi impacting more than 1.5 million users in 7,000 companies Bayero University Kano in North West Nigeria has concluded plans to host the 5th International Conference on DryLands with the theme “Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks the Director of the Center Professor Jibrin Jibrin explained that the conference will serve as a continental platform for dialogue and collaboration on sustainable management of rangelands vast ecosystems that support millions of livelihoods across Africa and other dryland regions of the world will bring together leading voices from academia and pastoralist communities to explore innovative solutions for building resilient and sustainable rangeland systems in the face of climate change READ ALSO:Centre for DryLand Agriculture to Host Conference on Food Security Highlighting reasons for the choice of the theme and violent conflicts linked to natural resource competition “Rangelands cover over 40% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are home to more than 500 million people many of whom depend on livestock rearing and mixed farming systems particularly the Sahel and dry savannah regions rangelands provide essential ecosystem services such as forage these landscapes are increasingly threatened by climate variability.” According to Professor Jibrin the three day conference starting from the 6th -8th has the intention to responds to the urgent need to reimagine the governance “It will showcase scientific research and policy frameworks that can support transformation in the drylands.” among the Objectives of the conference includes to share state-of-the-art scientific evidence and practical experiences on rangeland health and civil society on integrated approaches to rangeland governance “identify strategies for building climate resilience To strengthen partnerships for regional research and capacity development in rangeland ecosystems.” Nigeria’s Minister for Livestock Development Idi Muktar Maiha will be pat of the discussants at the conference The value meal offers guests three delicious options for $5 BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh fried chicken lovers looking for a hot deal to warm up their winter are in luck. Chester's Chicken is rolling out the 5 Buk Box For a limited time starting today until mid-May at participating Chester's locations nationwide guests have the option to choose from three budget-friendly meals on the menu "Our new 5 Buk Box satisfies cravings for the juiciest crispiest chicken on the go without compromising on taste or affordability," said William Culpepper "It's a win for guests demanding value and our operators who pride themselves on delivering exceptional experiences." For more information on Chester's Chicken and to see the full menu, visit chesterschicken.com Chester's Chicken is getting a little more Southern this fall Kentucky Bourbon Bites are on the menu at.. Household, Consumer & Cosmetics Restaurants Retail Food & Beverages Do not sell or share my personal information:  (Updated:  May 6, 2025 6:22 am)Ukraine's drones target Moscow second night in a row, Russian official claims. Debris from one of the drones reportedly fell on the Kashirskoye Highway The reported attack comes just days before Russia's Victory Day parade and three-day "truce." A Russian drone attack on Odesa Oblast on May 5 killed one and caused damage to local infrastructure "We appreciate that Germany plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment," President Volodymyr Zelensky said MPs will be able to ask questions and learn more about the details of the agreement in meetings with Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko May 6-7 MP Serhii Sobolev told the news outlet Suspilne The ratification vote is scheduled for May 8 Attacks against the border villages of Bilopillia and Vorozhba damaged civilian infrastructure and triggered emergency evacuations the regional military administration reported "I look forward to working with President Erdogan on getting the ridiculous war between Russia and Ukraine ended — now!" U.S Putin's Victory Day truce "doesn't sound like much if you know where we started from," Trump told reporters at the White House on May 5 Far-right Euroskeptic candidate George Simion head of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan placed second with 20.99% of the vote and the candidate from the ruling coalition "It requires the continuation of contacts between Moscow and Washington which have been launched and are now ongoing," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said set to operate within the Council of Europe will focus on Russia's political and military leaders up to 20 Russian soldiers were killed and their equipment destroyed by The Kyiv Independent news deskRussian Buk-M3 air defense missile systems parade through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow (Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP via Getty Images)A drone unit in the National Guard's 27th Pechersk Brigade destroyed a Russian anti-aircraft missile BUK-M1 system worth $10 million Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported on Nov 16 A Telegram video shared by Klymenko whose ministry oversees the National Guard showed the system being targeted at "one of the hottest areas of the front," without specifying which exact area On the morning of Nov. 16, the General Staff reported that Russia had lost 999 air defense systems since the start of its full-scale invasion which would make this loss Russia's 1000th The Soviet-era BUK-M1 surface-to-air missile systems have been used by both Ukrainians and Russians in this war. Last year, Ukraine announced it had converted the systems to shoot American missiles Ukraine inherited Buk-M1 anti-aircraft systems from the Soviet Union but the weapons typically use missiles that only Russia produces We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent We are here to make sure our readers get quick essential updates about the events in Ukraine Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Ukrainian forces have "destroyed" one of Russia's newest medium-range air defense systems, according to Kyiv, as battles rage on in the southern Russian Kursk region nearly two months after Ukraine launched its surprise incursion "Something went wrong with the [R]ussian Buk M3 air defense system," the Ukrainian government said in a post to X, formerly Twitter Kyiv shared footage appearing to show the strike on the air defense system. Newsweek could not independently verify the clip, but the U.S.-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) described the footage as geolocated to a site east of the Kursk city of Rylsk The Kursk territory currently controlled by Ukraine sits to the southeast of the settlement Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry via email The Ukrainian Defense Ministry did not specify a time nor location in its brief post but the 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion—credited by Kyiv with targeting the air defense system—said in a separate post to messaging app Telegram on Monday that it had targeted a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system The 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion said its forces had located the system in the southern Russian Kursk region Ukraine has previously said the 413th is operating in Kursk The Buk family of air defense systems are medium-range has touted the Buk-M3 as a "milestone in the development of the medium-range ADMS [air defense missile system]." precision-guided munitions and tactical ballistic missiles the Buk-M3 has a range of up to 65 kilometers Ukraine largely focused on the border city of Sudzha Russian and Ukrainian sources then suggested in mid-September that the Kremlin had launched a counteroffensive in Kursk, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed Russia has said in the past few weeks that it has recaptured several settlements along the border The ISW think tank said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had recently advanced around the settlement of Glushkovo Kyiv advanced to the southeast and east of Veseloye referring to a settlement southwest of Glushkovo Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it had "repelled" two Ukrainian attacks around Malaya Loknya—north of Sudzha—and Obukhovka "Five attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to break through the border of the Russian Federation in the direction of the settlements of Medvezhye and Novy Put were repelled," Moscow said These villages sit right on the Kursk border Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. Newsletters in your inbox See all Purchase the Latest NACS State of the Industry Report® The convenience and fuel retailing industry’s premier benchmarking tool and the most comprehensive collection of data and trends Discover what’s next and how to get there faster The inaugural NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium is the industry’s only and fully dedicated event designed exclusively for convenience retailers wholesalers and suppliers who are seeking the latest insights tools and resources that can help them proactively prepare for and mitigate risks The 2025 NACS Food Safety Forum will take place April 8 in conjunction with the NACS State of the Industry Summit and quality assurance professionals at the only industry-specific food safety event for the convenience retail community attendees will be networking with industry experts attending thought-provoking and empowering education sessions and exploring a show floor with the latest merchandise for convenience and fuel retailing technologies and best practices shaping the future of convenience retail in Europe and around the globe Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership The meal deal offers customers three ‘budget-friendly’ box options Chester's Chicken is rolling out its “5 Buk Box,” the company said in a press release Available now until mid-May at participating Chester's locations nationwide guests can choose from three “budget-friendly” LTO meals on the menu “Our new 5 Buk Box satisfies cravings for the juiciest crispiest chicken on the go without compromising on taste or affordability,” said William Culpepper “It’s a win for guests demanding value and our operators who pride themselves on delivering exceptional experiences.” In other recent Chester’s news, it launched Kentucky Bourbon Bites at participating Chester's locations nationwide in October Kentucky Bourbon Bites are made with “Chester's marinated breast chunks … The chicken is sauced and tossed in Cattlemen's Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce which blends the smooth flavors of oaky bourbon signature spices for the perfect Southern flavor in every bite,” the company said in a press release “Bites are a fan favorite at Chester’s—so our innovation team is constantly testing new fun flavor experiences to bring our guests,” said Culpepper “We’ve debuted several spicy flavors in the past but the bourbon flavor resonated best in our recent consumer testing and we’re excited to roll out these sweet According to Ukrinform, the brigade announced the strike on Facebook and published a corresponding video "The Chornyi Lis Brigade scouts identified the loading-launch and launch vehicles of the enemy’s medium-range multifunctional SAM system Buk-M2 they passed the coordinates to supporting units who skillfully delivered precise strikes and gifted us this fireworks show," reads the post accompanying the video the Asmodei drone crew from the EWOKS battalion recently destroyed a Russian armored train in the Pokrovsk sector using UAVs The Unmanned Systems Forces announced this on Telegram The operators carried out precise strikes with FPV drones on a Buk-M2 launch unit which the enemy had camouflaged in a forest strip This led to the detonation of missiles and the destruction of the unit the battalion operators struck two Buk-M3 launchers The radar is a key component of the Buk system designed for "illuminating" aerial targets and guiding missiles Its destruction undermines the combat capabilities of the system The Buk-M3 (9K37M3/SA-17 Grizzly) is a modern mobile surface-to-air missile system one of the key elements of Russian air defense It is capable of destroying airborne targets at altitudes of up to 35 kilometers and tracking them at distances of up to 70 kilometers The full cost of the system is approximately $45 million the 412th Nemesis Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces detected the operation of a russian Buk-M3 air defense system "The reconnaissance unit tracked the target’s movement, precisely identified its location, and, in coordination with other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, destroyed the enemy air defense system," the statement reads The cost of the Buk-M3 system is about $100 million "The 412th Nemesis Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces is systematically taking out russian air defense systems along the entire front line.Dozens of destroyed Tor and Buk systems are the result of precise planning artillery reconnaissance units from the 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade successfully detected and targeted key components of russian Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile system The strike resulted in the destruction of both launcher and loader-launcher vehicle of the medium-range air defense system The operation took place on a strategically important sector of the front its coordinates were promptly relayed to cooperating Ukrainian units which carried out a precise strike and neutralized the threat The elimination of these Buk-M2 components significantly weakens the russian military's air defense capabilities creating more favorable conditions for the operation of Ukrainian aircraft in the area This event highlights the critical role of advanced reconnaissance technologies and the precision of modern artillery in contemporary warfare The Buk-M2 is a self-propelled air defense system designed to intercept aircraft Its destruction not only reduces the enemy's defensive posture but also showcases the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian joint operations and battlefield technology The strike highlights the growing effectiveness of UAVs in modern warfare where precision and the ability to strike high-value targets from a distance are becoming increasingly critical by Martin FornusekPurported footage of the Albashneft oil depot in Novominskaya (Andrii Kovalenko/Telelgram)Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil facility in Krasnodar Krai and a Buk air defense system in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on Feb the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said An attack carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Defense Forces set fire to the Albashneft oil facility in Novominskaya in southwestern Russia, according to the statement Earlier the same day, Krasnodar Krai authorities reported a Ukrainian drone attack that started a fire at an unspecified oil depot that allegedly contained a "residual amount" of petroleum product The village of Novominskaya lies roughly 250 kilometers (150 miles) from the front line in Ukraine "The hit has been confirmed," the General Staff said describing the facility as a "mini-refinery" involved in the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel for Russian forces in Ukraine The extent of damage to the facility is being determined The General Staff also reported a successful hit against the Buk system in Zaporizhzhia Oblast adding that "damage to the target was recorded." The Kyiv Independent could not verify all the claims medium-range surface-to-air missile system first developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s the Soviet Union and then Russia developed several upgraded versions The latest version — the Buk-M3 — is manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey defense company, and can reportedly track and engage up to 36 targets simultaneously A BUK M3 air defence system moves along Tverskaya Street before a rehearsal of a military parade in Red Square marking the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII on June 17, 2020 in Moscow, Russia (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)The Buk gained worldwide infamy in 2014 with the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 On July 17 of that year, flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport set to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport around 12 hours later Three hours into the flight, Russian proxy forces used a Buk to down the Boeing-777 above Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board The latest report of Ukraine striking the Albashneft oil facility comes as Kyiv is ramping up long-range drone strikes against Russian targets in the rear focusing on oil facilities crucial for supplying the Russian military and feeding Moscow's war chest Earlier this week, Ukrainian drone attacks reportedly targeted energy facilities in Russia's Astrakhan and Volgograd oblasts overnight on Feb causing fires at the Lukoil oil refinery in Volgograd and the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies fighters from the unmanned systems unit of the 65th Mechanized Brigade successfully destroyed russian Buk-M3 air defense system was published on the unit’s channel on January 22 a high-value target worth tens of millions of dollars was struck while attempting to change its position The system was caught on a road in the middle of open fields where it became vulnerable to the precision strike of Ukrainian kamikaze drone The footage reveals the skillful maneuvers of the drone which pursued the Buk system before delivering a devastating strike This marks yet another demonstration of Ukraine’s effective use of unmanned aerial systems in countering advanced russian military equipment The destruction of the Buk-M3 system not only eliminates a critical air defense asset but also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by russian forces in maintaining the mobility and security of their high-tech systems on the battlefield Ukrainian Defense Forces inflicted significant losses on russian air defense eliminating two Buk-M3 systems and a radar station This is the largest loss of such assets within such a short period since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and it highlights the effectiveness of new drone-based tactics Ukrainian UAV operators from the Unmanned Systems Forces successfully identified and destroyed an artillery unit equipped with russia’s latest Buk-M3 system drones located and destroyed a second Buk-M3 system along with a 9S36 radar station used for target illumination and missile guidance within the Buk-M2 system These assets were positioned in temporarily occupied Luhansk just a few dozen kilometers from the front line according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine This new tactic of using drones to destroy costly air defense systems demonstrates impressive cost efficiency a Ukrainian multicopter bomber can approach an enemy position and drop a $500 munition onto a russian air defense system worth millions Ukrainian forces primarily targeted such air defense systems with HIMARS artillery the new drone tactic has shown that similarly effective results can be achieved with much lower costs The General Staff has emphasized that operations targeting russian air defense systems will continue paving the way for increased strikes on enemy positions both at the front line and in rear areas The video of the combat mission was published on April 7 by the official channel of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drone pilots conducted precise FPV drone strikes on a Buk-M2 Transporter-Loader Vehicle (TLV) that the enemy had concealed in a forest belt The strike caused the missile to detonate and led to its complete destruction the battalion’s operators struck two Buk-M3 launchers The radar is a critical component of the air defense system used for target illumination and missile guidance Its destruction severely undermines the combat capabilities of the entire system The Buk-M3 (9K37M3/SA-17 Grizzly) is a modern mobile surface-to-air missile system developed by russia and serves as one of the key components of the enemy’s air defense network It can engage aerial targets at altitudes of up to 35 kilometers and track them at distances of up to 70 kilometers The full system costs approximately $45 million and multifunctional surface-to-air missile system It is designed to destroy strategic and tactical aircraft It can also engage tactical ballistic missiles and guided aerial bombs under conditions of intense electronic and fire countermeasures from the enemy Ukraine's Atesh guerilla movement reported this on the Telegram messenger "On the coast of the Gagarin district of Sevastopol our agents were able to locate a 9K317M Buk-M3 medium-range air defense system which is used to provide early warning and targeting for the Buk-M3 this air defense point is capable of detecting and destroying targets at a greater distance," the report said detailed information on the deployment of air defense systems and anti-aircraft missile systems in Crimea is being constantly updated and all relevant information is submitted to the Ukrainian Defense Forces Chester’s Chicken is rolling out a new limited-time offer in the form of its 5 Buk Box To combat the rise in quick-service restaurant (QSR) meal deals convenience stores have answered with a flurry of their own in the last several months principal at CSP sister research arm Technomic said it has become increasingly tough for convenience stores to compete with and steal share from QSRs “because of all the value offerings that are out there.” EG America also recently offered two doughnuts and a large hot or iced coffee for $4 for a limited time QuickChek recently extended its most popular 6-inch made-to-order subs at the reduced price of $3.99 including its meatball recipe—and customers who order a 6-inch made-to-order sub for $3.99 can add a pack of M&M’s candies or a two-pack of QuickChek’s freshly baked cookies for 99 cents Laval, Quebec-based Circle K in the fall took a tiered approach with $3, $4 and $5 offerings The $3 meal was a roller grill hot dog or Taquito choice of 1-2-ounce Frito-Lay chips and up to 44-ounce Polar Pop has 1,300 locations and has been in business for more than 50 years Chester’s offers fried chicken in convenience stores Interested in learning more about foodservice? Register or sponsor CSP’s Convenience Retailing University here Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here Get today’s need-to-know convenience industry intelligence Sign up to receive texts from CSP on news and insights that matter to your brand Features include helping maximize and forecast sales operational strain and program cannibalization are all concerns says Richard Poye of Food Trends Think Tank Modern oral nicotine pouches continue to stand out as a key driver for 'other tobacco product' segment CSP’s Top 202 details the largest chains in the convenience-store industry and the biggest M&A stories of the past year Welcome to a deep dive into the c-store landscape The industry’s largest distributors by sales volume The latest information on products and trends in the convenience-store and foodservice industries Peek inside new convenience stores to uncover the best in retail store design across North America Corporate retail news affecting the convenience-store industry Do not sell my personal infoPrivacy PolicyCode of ConductContact UsRSS SALT LAKE CITY — A third man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Salt Lake warehouse where a party was being held May 26 The man's brother was recently convicted of killing a University of Utah football player and he has another brother who is in jail facing a separate murder charge was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Tuesday and formally charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with murder and 13 counts of discharge of a firearm causing serious injury first-degree felonies; obstruction of justice a second-degree felony; and failing to stop for law enforcement Two other men, Nay Blu Soe, 21, of Magna, and Abdihakim Abdullahi Mohamed, 19, of Salt Lake City, were each charged Friday in 3rd District Court with murder and 13 counts of shooting at a person causing serious injury first-degree felonies; and obstruction of justice Fortune Road in the Poplar Grove neighborhood to investigate a shooting "at a warehouse after party," according to charging documents They arrived to find Nico Christopher Patino lying on the ground in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds Witnesses told police "Nico had exited the warehouse (with a woman) and (they) were standing in the parking lot when a silver Chrysler pulled up in front of them who grabbed something from his waist with his right hand and started shooting at Nico," the charges state Police also noted that "as the victim was talking with the driver of the car multiple coordinated shooters on foot and in the vehicle fired at the victim." Detectives collecting evidence in the investigation were given a cellphone video recorded the night before the shooting at a residence The videos show several people at a barbecue including Buk and at least one of the other men previously arrested Buk was taken into custody after being spotted by an officer He attempted to run off but was eventually caught he "denied ever being at an after-party or warehouse after-party." When the officer gave him the name of one of the other men and the interview was stopped," the affidavit states He was then taken to the Salt Lake County Jail In a turn of events that could be described as bad karma in action originally designed to neutralize aerial threats met its downfall in the skies over Ukraine an advanced air defense system known for its capability to target and destroy aircraft was deployed by russian forces after the invasion of Ukraine the very system intended to protect russian airspace became the target of Ukrainian forces Ukrainian UAV successfully destroyed the Buk-M3 system showcasing the power of precision and modern warfare tactics This incident not only highlights the evolving dynamics of aerial combat but also serves as a reminder of unpredictable nature of military engagements where one weapon system can quickly become the prey of another Emma Marsden is a freelance news reporter for Newsweek who has lived in the U.K and the U.S Emma has worked for broadcasters BBC and ITV Emma holds a first-class honors degree in Journalism and English a masters with distinction and a pending PhD in creative writing She is currently writing her first novel in the genre of Domestic Noir A newly released video captures the moment a Ukrainian HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) obliterates a prized Russian Buk missile launcher in a dramatic strike In apparent drone footage shared on Ukraine's Defense of Ukraine's official X, formerly Twitter the video shows a series of targeted explosions that appear to destroy one of Russia's premier surface-to-air defense systems The video, titled Operational Command South, depicts HIMARS rockets launched in rapid succession hitting the target with precision which explodes in a shower of bright sparks and sets the area ablaze with vast plumes of smoke visible Both Russia and Ukraine have yet to issue formal statements on the video but a caption alongside the video on the official Ukraine Defense page on X said: "Destruction of a Russian BUK-M2 air defense system is destruction of a Russian BUK with a spectacular fireworks finale is truly amazing." Newsweek could not independently verify when and where the footage was filmed and has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment on Friday via email Ukraine received the HIMARS as part of international military assistance programs to help defend itself against the ongoing Russian invasion The use of HIMARS —a precision rocket system supplied by the United States to Ukraine—demonstrates the growing reliance on advanced Western weaponry in Kyiv's efforts to push back Russian forces and reclaim territory famously involved in shooting down aircraft and safeguarding Russian forces against aerial attacks is one of Putin's most prized assets and a high-value target for Ukraine It plays a crucial role in Russia's defense network making this strike a significant setback for Moscow's capabilities in the contested region This is not the first time Ukraine has successfully taken out a Russian Buk air defense system, as previously reported by Newsweek The Buk can be either tracked or wheeled and is designed to take down enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and other targets, according to the U.S. military The Buk has received numerous upgrades and has served as the backbone to Russia's forces since they started using the system in 2008 The Buk-M2 can strike aerial targets between 2 miles and 28 miles away according to Russian state exporter Rosoboronexport Ukraine's aerial attack follows recent reports indicating an uptick in Ukrainian counteroffensive operations. As the conflict continues, such strikes may increase in frequency, especially with enhanced intelligence and technological support from NATO and Western allies the loss of advanced equipment like the Buk represents a costly setback amid ongoing logistical and battlefield challenges The Ukrainian military destroyed a russian BUK-M1 surface-to-air missile system along with its ammunition. This was reported by the Сommand of the Ukrainian Ground Forceson Telegram It is reported that russian equipment was detected during its movement thanks to the scouts of the 15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade Black Forest The cost of russian SAM system is estimated at about 10 million dollars The work of Ukrainian Forces has significantly reduced the occupiers' air defense capabilities Earlier Defense Express reported that unmanned aerial operations in Kharkiv had effectively disabled russian pontoon systems and armored vehicles This was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko "Fighters from the 27th Cavalry Brigade of the National Guard destroyed Russia’s high-cost anti-aircraft missile system National Guards located the enemy air defense system during a reconnaissance mission on one of the hottest areas of the front line," the minister wrote the cost of such an air defense system could reach as much as $100 million National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko said the force would be strengthened with DITA self-propelled artillery systems In a significant operation showcasing the power of modern unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions successfully destroyed russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile system was launched with the mission to target key russian air defense assets which are designed to circle over the target area before homing in for a direct strike the UAV was able to neutralize the Pantsir SAM and the Buk-M3 units These systems are crucial components of russia’s air defense network The destruction of the Kupol radar station further weakens russia’s ability to track and respond to aerial threats The successful strike is a demonstration of how UAVs are reshaping the battlefield by providing precise long-range targeting capabilities while minimizing the risk to personnel and assets This operation underscores the growing importance of advanced technology in modern military strategies by Kateryna HodunovaPhoto for illustrative purposes — a Russian Buk-M3 air defense missile system parades through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow (Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP via Getty Images)Ukrainian forces reportedly struck an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast and destroyed a Buk-M3 radar station in Russian-occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight Outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield, Ukraine has turned to homemade drones to try to exhaust Russian combat capabilities as much as possible from afar, targeting Russian military-industrial complex facilities, airbases, and oil refineries The Ukrainian military said that on the night of Nov. 29, they struck the Atlas oil depot in Rostov Oblast. As a result of the strike, fires broke out on the territory of the facility, the statement said Atlas is part of the Russian military-industrial complex and supplies petroleum products to the Russian army The oil depot was previously targeted in the summer of 2024 a radar station of the Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system was destroyed in the Russian-held part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast The combat mission was carried out by units of the Unmanned Systems Forces the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) in cooperation with other units of the Defense Forces On Nov. 16, a drone unit in the National Guard's 27th Pechersk Brigade destroyed another Russian anti-aircraft missile Buk-M1 system worth $10 million On the morning of Nov. 29, the General Staff reported that Russia had lost 1,006 air defense systems since the start of its full-scale invasion Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy by Martin Fornusek9A316M launcher of the Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system (Mil.ru/Wikipedia)Ukrainian forces destroyed radar guidance equipment of a Buk-M2 air defense system and struck a Buk-M3 system overnight on Oct The attack was carried out by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces and other military units. The General Staff did not elaborate on other possible damage apart from the destroyed guidance system The Russian targets were hit "several dozens of kilometers behind the front line," the statement read medium-range air defense systems developed in the 1970s in the Soviet Union capable of shooting down aerial targets like tactical ballistic missiles at a range of 50 and 65 kilometers Russian proxy forces used a Buk missile to shoot down the MH17 Malaysian airliner over Donetsk Oblast on July 17 Ukraine previously destroyed a Buk-M3 system overnight on Oct. 21 Ukrainian forces have destroyed 982 Russian anti-aircraft systems throughout the full-scale war, the General Staff said in its regular morning report on Oct. 25 Soldiers of the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed 3 Russian Buk air defense systems in the Kursk region. The Russian air defense system was eliminated within 12 hours, the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says operators of the 413th separate battalion of unmanned systems Reid of the Unmanned Systems Forces in cooperation with the consolidated detachment of unmanned aerial vehicles Dzhmil of the 78th Airborne Division detected and destroyed 3 Russian Buk SAMs within 12 hours,” the video is captioned the pilots delivered precision strikes with FPV drones on a Buk-M2 launcher which the Russians had disguised in a forest belt The strike on the equipment led to the detonation of missiles and their destruction The battalion's operators also hit two Buk-M3 launchers designed to "illuminate" air targets and guide missiles The Buk-M3 SAM is a modern modification of the Soviet medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to effectively combat a variety of air targets at medium and long ranges The system is capable of destroying aircraft The system is equipped with a radar for searching which ensures high accuracy and efficiency in difficult conditions of electronic jamming The Buk-M3 can engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges up to 70 km and altitudes from 15 to 25 km making it a very powerful air defense system Earlier, Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the units of the Nemesis Unmanned Systems Forces had destroyed over 15 units of expensive Buk-M3 and Tor. And the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that unmanned systems have become one of the most important elements of the war the number of targets hit and destroyed increased by 22% compared to January Fire authorities issued a Level 3 response to a fire that broke out at Mount Hamji in Daegu on April 28 Smoke from a wildfire that broke out on Hamji Mountain in Daegu is seen on April 28 [YONHAP] Smoke from a wildfire that broke out on Mount Hamji in Daegu is pictured on April 28 a quick-service restaurant concept with more than 1,300 active franchised and licensed locations 15 until mid-May at participating Chester's locations nationwide guests have the option of choosing from three budget-friendly meals on the menu The 5 Buk Box value meals consist of a leg wing and biscuit; or five chicken bites and biscuit.  For a limited time starting today until mid-May at participating Chester’s locations nationwide crispiest chicken on the go without compromising on taste or affordability,” said William Culpepper Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter and receive important industry updates Food & Beverage Magazine is the leading online magazine resource for the food and beverage industry with signature celebrity features and an over twenty year long valuable reputation F&B Magazine has the eyes of the industry’s top professionals that are in search of the latest and greatest Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter and recieve important industry updates Putin and Lukashenko speak on Union State ties and united historical memory at Volgograd forum Russia proposes joint aviation venture with Belarus as part of expanded industrial cooperation Russian and Belarusian agents accused of plotting attacks on exiled Belarusians in Lithuania Belarus now ‘untouchable’ under Russia’s nuclear umbrella COMMENT: Is Russia’s economy headed for hard or soft landing BLOG: The EU’s glacial push to eliminate Russian LNG Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog Tensions flare in Azerbaijan–Russia ties despite Patriarch’s visit but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms EU swaps China for Russia in procurement of rare earth metals Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia Incoming German government compromises on carbon offsets to boost flagging economy ​Hungary's Fiscal Council raises red flag over government 2026 draft budget plans Hungary requests activation of national escape clause MOL and TPAO bring upstream partnership to Hungary Poland’s manufacturing conditions improve for third consecutive month in April but outlook weakens Tusk unveils national doctrine to build strongest army Hungary and Slovakia warn EU against scrapping unanimity rule over Ukraine membership bid Protesters return to towns and cities across Slovakia against cabinet’s NGO bill Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries Albania’s 2025 general election to test democratic institutions Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance Bulgaria-based crypto lender Nexo to return to US market Spanish blackout caused by extreme weather and a major renewables failure for the first time Croatia to prioritise economic cooperation as chair of Three Seas Initiative Moldova approves €8bn development plan for 2026-2028 George Simion takes decisive lead in Romanian presidential election first round Romanian nationalist politician Simion is strong frontrunner in presidential election first round Serbian president stable after falling ill during US visit COMMENT: Turkish opposition’s efforts to bring down Erdogan regime are just not working Turkey’s inflation dips further to 37.9% in April Turkey’s opposition leader assaulted in Istanbul COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US Russia and Europe vie for investment in Central Asia Russia removes Taliban from terrorist list acknowledging it as legitimate leadership of Afghanistan Taliban seek $100mn from World Bank to restart work on CASA-1000 electricity transmission project COMMENT: Europe could benefit from partnering with Armenian tech innovation Armenia courts African countries to supply diamond industry Europe’s quest for Central Asian resources meets reality “Lost” Ottoman era painting reappears at Sotheby’s London MACRO ADVISORY: Kazakhstan’s High Stakes Oil Gambit Gold mine no cash cow for Kyrgyz government Kyrgyz PM gets polite brush off by US business executives China exports Xi Jinping Thought to Mongolia Boosting Mongolia’s democracy with reform remains an uphill battle China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts First-ever Uzbek-language startup guidebook series launched to support aspiring entrepreneurs Oil is a major source of income for eight African countries – OWID Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after explosion Russia's budget oil breakeven price world’s second lowest as oil revenues recover Southeast European countries look to Algeria to diversify energy supplies Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 16% of the global population but 67% of extreme poverty - OWID Russia's expanding pull in Africa is pushing Western influence out EBRD delivers 26% expansion in investments in 2024 Global access to energy starts to fall for the first time in a decade Saudi Arabia hosts kingdom's first Africa summit Putin at 2023 Africa-Russia summit: Wiping debts Botswana throws the diamond industry a lifeline Nelson Mandela worried about natural diamonds Botswana’s 2,492-carat diamond discovery is golden opportunity to replicate legendary Jonker diamond's global legacy Kamikaze marketing: how the natural diamond industry could have reacted to the lab-grown threat Guns and gold: how two coups reshaped Burkina Faso’s mining sector Russia’s Rosatom to support nuclear projects across Africa at AEW2024 Chase and HSBC reportedly unwittingly processed payments for Wagner warlord Prigozhin Burkina Faso the latest African country to enter nuclear power plant construction talks with Russia IMF: China’s slowdown will hit sub-Saharan growth Moscow unlikely to give up Niger toehold as threat of ECOWAS military action looms CAR mercenary becomes first African to die in Ukraine conflict Russia to capitalise on Africa’s growing energy demand Minerals for security: can the US break China’s grip on the DRC BRICS seeks new global alignment at Rio ministerial summit BRICS labour meeting in Brasilia tackles AI impact CONFERENCE CALL: Aurora Women in Tech Global Awards France call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid trilateral summit in Cairo Can Eritrea’s mining sector flourish under autocratic rule SDS storms fed by sand and dust equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza US Treasury targets Iran's National Oil Co HALLIGAN: Trump's tariffs are either madness or genius – it could go either way Brazil hosts first BRICS Sherpas meeting with expanded membership From oil to minerals: Gabon’s ambitious mining transition Guinea grants final approvals to Rio Tinto for $11.6bn Simandou iron-ore project PANNIER: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV obituary New Aga Khan takes helm of Ismaili Shi'ite Muslims Liberia’s mining resurgence: from conflict to opportunity US adds 17 Liberian-flagged bulk carriers and oil tankers to Russian sanctions-busting blacklist Force majeure at Libya’s Zawiya Refinery threatens exports and oil expansion plans facing loss of Syrian base for Africa operations seen turning to war-torn Sudan or divided Libya Libya’s mineral riches: unlocking a future beyond oil Russia funding war in Ukraine via illegal gold mining in Africa – WGC report Ukraine claims it was behind massacre of Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali Uzbekistan's Startup Garage arrives in North Africa with Casablanca launch EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies Can Morocco's phosphate wealth put it at the centre of the global battery supply chain Foreign agricultural workers flock to South Africa as sector expands Russia's nuclear diplomacy binding emerging markets to the Kremlin Can Niger's military junta seize the country's uranium opportunity Disaster season: heat waves sweep the world – in charts and maps Niger and beyond: Francophone credit delivers coup de grâce From blood diamonds to critical minerals: Sierra Leone’s mining transformation 10 African countries to experience world’s fastest population growth to 2100 Global press freedom indicator slips – Statista Global military spending surges to $2.7 trillion – Statista SITREP: Middle East rapidly destabilised by a week of missile strikes Gold and guns: how civil war keeps Sudan's mineral riches in the ground Colombian mercenaries trapped in Sudan’s conflict COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have Tunisian President Kais Saied re-elected for second term Sri Lanka's LTL Holdings targets African power sector WHO declares "global public health emergency" owing to mpox outbreak in Central Africa Climate crisis-driven global food security deteriorated between 2019 and 2022 and is even affecting the US Reserve Bank of India signals further rate cuts as inflation eases and growth outlook weakens Singapore eases monetary policy again as growth outlook dims and tariff pressures mount Russia and Indonesia work on direct bank settlement framework to bolster trade Bank of Korea expected to lower rates in April despite currency slide IMF: Global debt to exceed pandemic levels soon Oil falls 3.75% amid global trade war recession fears Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia Indonesia’s coal politics: maintaining a strategic market price despite Chinese resistance India moves to cut reliance on Chinese solar modules and PV cells Google backs Taiwan’s geothermal future in landmark Asia-Pacific energy deal mobility infrastructure in western Himalayas India eyes deeper trade ties with trusted economies Record gold prices to hit sales volume of Indian jewellery retailers Beijing VS Washington on rare earths – and why the US is losing Vietnam gold prices hit record highs as global bullion rallies Indonesia to launch national data centre by April 2025 Tehran-based ride-hailing giant sets record with nearly 6mn daily trips Chinese threat to submarine cables emerges in Indo-Pacific BMI: New US tariffs set to reshape economic landscape across Middle East US deploys six B-2 bombers to Indian Ocean ahead of Iran standoff Arab League and UN condemns brutal Israeli airstrikes on Gaza COMMENT: Gulf states court Russia but stop short of strategic shift Iran bans skateboards and scooters in public spaces Trump threatens sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil Iraq facing worst drought in history as water resources dwindle and climate crisis intensifies Unemployed Iraqi engineers block Lukoil’s site in Basra Kazakhstan will put national interests over OPEC+ oil limits US forces withdraw from military base in Syria's Al-Hasakah province Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen port city Israel to respond against Yemen for missile on Tel Aviv airport COMMENT: Israel is attempting to destabilise Syria Aid ship to Gaza hit by drone strikes near Malta in international waters Ryanair and Wizz Air to launch direct flights to Jordan in April Netanyahu to discuss Turkey-Israel relations with Trump at White House on April 7 Syrian foreign ministry urges Kuwait to reopen embassy in Damascus Middle East markets suffer massive losses as Trump tariff effects continue Deadly Israeli air raids heighten risk of renewed Lebanon-Israel conflict Israel launches airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb amid Lebanon escalation Missile sirens sound in northern Israel amid Lebanon border tensions Is Oman the 'Switzerland of the Middle East' Iran FM to visit Russia ahead of second round of US talks Israel faces major wildfires in Jerusalem hills as authorities evacuate villages COMMENT: Is Israel's Prime Minister committing political suicide Saudi Arabia deploys AI to streamline Hajj Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air plans first flights for late 2025 Saudi Arabia's US Treasury holdings fall to $126.4bn in February Israeli fighter jets strike targets near the Syrian presidential palace Montenegro mega beach deal reignites debate over UAE investments in Western Balkans Protesters against UAE beach development deal target Montenegrin parliament Turkey says it wants no confrontation with Israel in Syria ECLAC cuts Latin America growth forecast amid global uncertainties LatAm set to be world's slowest-growing region as World Bank slashes forecasts Trump’s trade tariffs push Mexico towards recession and weigh on regional growth Latin American leaders blast US tariffs at CELAC summit as China offers economic lifeline Why investors are turning their gaze to Latin America after Trump tariffs Gazprom abandons Bolivia's Azero project after 16 years of unfulfilled promises Brazilian police foil bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga's 2mn people Rio concert IMF suspends Colombia's flexible credit line amid fiscal concerns Colombia’s import surge deepens trade deficit Latin America to miss more than three-quarters of 2030 sustainability targets EU observers reject election fraud allegations in Ecuador Ecuador's Noboa secures presidential win with 55.95% of vote El Salvador plays defiant game with IMF Bitcoin rules Trump and Bukele cement controversial migrant deportation deal Cross-border oil smuggling reveals dark underbelly of US-Mexico trade nexus Mexico rejects bleak IMF recession forecast Panama’s Mulino rules out mining law in bid to restart First Quantum project Trinidad opposition sweeps to power in decisive election victory Venezuela embraces Russian GLONASS in challenge to US satellite dominance Japanese official warns of wider Asian security impact of Trump tariffs ASIA BLOG: Is China preparing to poke the paper tiger in the White House Asian giants thrive in Russia despite sanctions ASIA BLOG: China suddenly recognises need for community Myanmar junta chief to attend regional summit in Bangkok Southeast Asia's leading economies ponder possible US tariffs as 90-day pause takes effect China doubles down on Cambodia ties amid global trade tensions but Myanmar’s celebrations damped by earthquake aftermath Albanese defies ‘incumbency curse’ with a landslide re-election in Australia Pakistan airspace closure impacts around 600 Indian flights war clouds hover over the Indian subcontinent Nusantara: Indonesia’s grand ambition to reshape its future Empty shelves and soaring costs hit Japan’s rice supply China to boost Russian LNG imports in 2025 Myanmar’s recovery stalls as extent of losses still not known North Korea acknowledges deployment of troops to support Russia in Kursk region North Korea is making billions of dollars a year from supplying Russia with weapons India bans Pakistani Youtube channels over provocative content after Kashmir attack US imposes preliminary duties on Southeast Asian solar imports Papua New Guinea tribal conflict leaves 30 dead amid gold mine dispute Singapore election outcome a ‘clear signal of trust South Korea’s PPP narrows presidential field to two finalists China accuses US of sophisticated cyberattacks Thailand's Maha Songkran World Water Festival draws over 558,000 visitors Magnit acquires controlling stake in Azbuka Vkusa German Prosecutors Confirm Termination of Money Laundering Investigation Against Alisher Usmanov Comments by President of the Russian Fertilizers Producers Association Andrey Guryev on bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC green chemistry research grants awarded for the 8th time to world's best young scientists Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Belarus conducted a test launch of a new Buk-MB2 air defence missile near its border with Ukraine on December 10, Ukrinform reports as all parties to the Ukraine war ramp up their missile development and production capacity The monitoring group Belaruski Gayun reported on Telegram that the Buk-MB2 9M318 missile was tested over the Olmanskoye swamp in Belarus which has been designated a firing range and flight restricted zone a new anti-aircraft guided missile for the Buk-MB2 air defence system – 9M318 – was tested on the territory of the Olmanskoye swamp and the new flight restriction zone in southern Belarus,” Belaruski Gayun said, Ukrinform reports The tests took place at the site of the former 41st aviation training ground used for military bombing exercises since the 1960s prohibits all aircraft from flying at altitudes of up to 20 km and will remain in place until December 20 This is not the first time the Olmanskoye swamp has hosted missile drills during the Belarus-Russia "Allied Resolve" exercises Belarusian forces launched Tochka-U missiles from the same location The current testing of the 9M318 missile mirrors those activities with live missile launches at similar ranges of up to 70 km The test comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Lukashenko a week earlier to beef up the Russo-Belarusian security pact The mutual military security agreements were expanded to include mutual security agreements and lays the groundwork for new Russian troops and new military bases on Belarusian territory The Buk-MB2 missile test as a low-key arms race picks up momentum in Eastern Europe. Russia fired its first Oreshnik ICBM missile at Ukraine this month in a first as the new hypersonic missile carries multiple warheads is nuclear capable and can hit almost all of Europe’s capitals with a very short flight time of around 20 minutes The use of the Oreshnik was in response to US President Joe Biden’s decision to grant permission for the use of Nato-supplied missiles to strike targets inside of Russia Currently Russia is thought to have only a handful of the Oreshniks, but Putin said last week that the missile was going into serial production. The missile is part of the new class of hypersonic missiles Russia has developed and which Putin showcased during his 2018 State of the Nation speech He claimed again last week that the West has no equivalent to these missiles and because of their speed – they can travel at over ten times the speed of sound – the West has no defences against them either Likewise, Ukraine is developing its own long-range weapons to counter Russia and also tested a new long-range Ruta missile on December 11. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also announced that Ukraine's new home-made long-range Palyanytsia missile is now in serial production Ukraine is now investing heavily into its own defence industry as it prepares to move away from relying on Nato supplies and produce more of its own armament – a policy being actively supported by the EU The Ukrainian government is preparing for a reduction in Western military aid next year and is trying to increase its domestic weapons production capacity Ukraine has already invested heavily in drone production and is currently out-producing Russia although drones have limited range and payloads the main direction of arms development is on long-range strike drones Drones have the advantage of being easier and faster to construct but are not powerful enough to turn the tide of war In the first 11 months of 2024, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry supplied the AFU with over 1.2mn UAVS of various types, including reconnaissance, strike and FPV drones as part of the escalating drone war that began last year The deliveries included over 40,000 reconnaissance multirotor drones among them more than 12,000 equipped for night operations were supplied, Ukrinform reports The AFU also received 6,000 long-range strike drones including models like the An-196 Liutyi and Firepoint alongside more than 5,000 reusable FPV drones Zelenskiy also introduced the new Hell missile drone which has recently successfully passed its first combat tests The first batch has been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) The Hell missile drone can reach speeds of up to 700 km per hour and has a range of 700 km which is enough to reach the Moscow region Production of the Ukrainian-developed long-range anti-ship Neptune missile is also being ramped up that has effectively driven the Russian Black Sea fleet out of its home bases in the Crimea The missile has also been adapted for use on land against land-based targets Since Russia launched its invasion of northern Ukraine from Belarusian territory in 2022 Kyiv has massively fortified its border with the Republic and remains on high alert The test launches of the new Buk-MB2 in Belarus triggered air alerts in northern Ukraine the Buk-MB2 missile is designed to engage high-speed manoeuvring aerial targets such as drones and tactical missiles the US agreed to provide Ukraine with more Patriot missiles but refused to supply them from the US stockpile putting in orders with US manufacturers instead There have been delays providing more mundane weapons as well. After being at a large disadvantage in artillery for most of the last two and half years of war, the EU finally delivered a promised 1mn 155mm artillery shells to Kyiv nine-months late and now the AFU has artillery parity with Russia for the first time whereas previously Russia was firing between five and ten times more shells for each one fired by Ukraine However, both Russia and Ukraine are developing and producing new missiles with very limited resources. Russia is struggling to source Western-made microchips thanks to the Western technology sanctions the cash-strapped government is spread very thin it is producing some $7bn worth of drones a year but industry professionals say the sector is capable of making up to $20bn worth of drones a year if restrictions on exports were lifted and more funding were available Private arms manufacturers complained this week that there are not enough government orders for 2025 that would allow manufacturers to scale up production, UBN reports 75% of 31 private companies in the defence-industrial complex said they are not negotiating to conclude any government weapons contracts for 2025 Only 19% of manufacturers have transitional contracts extended for the next year Most of these agreements involve production that takes up to five months manufacturers of complex technological products with six-to-eight-month production cycles have almost no agreements More than half predict that 2025 government orders will load their capacities by less than 30% Only 13% of companies expect to reach more than 80% of total capacity the entire Ukrainian defence industry's 2025 capacity will be worth about $30bn Ukraine has 800 enterprises in the defence industry Most were created jointly with Germany to repair and maintain armoured vehicles and tanks and to produce modern infantry fighting vehicles Europe is increasingly funding Ukrainian weapon production due to its own capacity constraints and depleted stockpiles of weapons Europeans are increasingly funding government contracts with Ukrainian weapons manufacturers including the production of missiles and drones capable of striking Russian territory The so-called “Danish model” of defence sector cooperation with Ukraine is attracting more and more attention and interest from other countries Denmark has already committed about $680mn to Ukraine's military-industrial complex and has made rapid progress in boosting production in Ukraine Check the box to receive the e-magazine to your inbox every month for free Get notified when there's a new bne IntelliNews Podcasts added