Defense Forces neutralize 9S36 radar from Buk-M2 system

13 March, 2025 Russian radar station 9S36. Source: Sputnik The Ukrainian Defense Forces have detected and neutralized a Russian 9S36 target illumination and missile guidance radar.

The Black Forest artillery reconnaissance brigade shared that their Shark drone detected the station. The strike by Ukrainian forces took the radar station by surprise. The video shows that the enemy's equipment tried to escape with the unfolded antenna after the hit, but did not get far.

"This time, the enemy did not have time to fold the antenna or escape - the scouts of the Shark crew detected, transmitted the coordinates and confirmed the hit," the servicemen stated. This 9S36 radar station for target acquisition and missile guidance is part of the 9K317 Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile system.

The destroyed Russian 9S36 target illumination and missile guidance radar. Photo credits: 15th Black Forest Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade

In fact, it is an antenna that helps to guide the missiles of an anti-aircraft missile system to their targets. According to the manufacturer, the 9S36 with an antenna post that rises to a height of 22 meters is supposed to detect targets flying at low and extremely low altitudes in forested and cross-country terrain.

Russian 9S36 radar station. Photo credits: Sputnik

However, the Russian anti-aircraft missile system failed to detect the Ukrainian reconnaissance drone Shark in time. Recently, Ukrspecsystems presented a new version of the SHARK-M unmanned aerial vehicle, which received a number of improvements to ensure an advantage on the battlefield.

The new model has a record range of up to 420 km and an extended flight duration of up to 7 hours.

The SHARK-M reconnaissance drone.

Photo: Ukrspecsystems

It was possible that the new Shark helped neutralize the Russian radar, as it flew unimpeded into the deep rear of the invaders.