How the calculations of the Buk-M3 complexes shoot down Western-made missiles
Among the large number of weapons received by Ukrainian militants from Western countries, missile systems occupy a special place. MLRS such as HIMARS and MLRS allow the use of missiles that are within reach of rear cities and facilities. Izvestia learned how the calculations of the Buk-M3 complexes of the Center group of forces protect our territory from American missiles.
The subtleties of driving
At the "helm" of a large tracked vehicle of an air defense installation, a driver mechanic with the call sign Kovalsky. But the call sign is not related to the hero of the famous cartoon about penguins-commandos. On the contrary, unlike the cartoon character, the soldier is calm and collected. Taking into account the enemy's hunt for air defense vehicles using anti-radar missiles (anti-radar missiles), much depends on the skills of the mechwarrior.
— We worked at night, captured the target, there was a squad. The commander saw that the PRR was going on, the command "Launch" sounded, after which very quickly, without looking anywhere, only on the cameras, back to 200-300 removal, U—turn, and at high speeds, at maximum speed — moving," Kovalsky tells about one of the episodes.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Video cameras are installed on the new cars — the driver has several side and rear view cameras at his disposal. Although they are considered daytime, they allow you to drive on a moonlit night without additional lights. There is a night vision device for forward viewing.
Kovalsky has been in the army for seven years, the last two as a mechwarrior, and previously was an operator of air defense systems. Related specialties are important skills, during long shifts it is necessary to ensure the work of the crew in a reduced composition, and the ability to work at several places at once in the complex should be the maximum number of people. Kowalski says that it was not as difficult to master driving as it seems — the Buka car has a semi-automatic box, so the driving process is similar to ordinary civilian cars. It is more important and more difficult to learn how to maintain the complex and constantly maintain it in working order.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Before his service, he worked as a physical education teacher at a children's and youth sports school and as a ski racing coach. I have a military family, you might say. My father is in reserve, my brother took part in the second Chechen war. They are proud, they are waiting," Kovalsky says about how they support him in his native Biysk.
The main opponent is ATACMS
All crew members have fully equipped first-aid kits in quick access on the front panels of modular bulletproof vests. There is also a large group first aid kit, which is located in the car or in the camp with the crew.
— Naturally, we have classes every day with the sanitary instructor of the battery under the guidance of the commander and the heads of calculations. Each serviceman has a first—aid kit of the first echelon with him, there is a second-echelon in the car, the sanitary instructor has a first-aid kit of the third echelon," says Sagittarius, the commander of the installation.
He has been in the army for four and a half years, after graduating from the academy: in such combat vehicles, the commander is an officer, not a sergeant, as in, for example, tankers.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— ATACMS, which are launched from MLRS, are our main opponent at the moment. Recently, they have begun to fly more often, if before they were launched mainly at night, now it happens both at night and during the day. We work normally, we hit everything successfully. I can't count it, but over the past month, our calculation has shot down three ATACMS missiles. We no longer draw stars on the sides. We used to draw," says Sagittarius.
At first, along with the combat ones, the enemy also used false targets, the so-called blanks. But now such cases are rare, since this type of false targets is commensurate with the cost of the missiles themselves. And the number of launchers suitable for ATACMS is limited, and at the same time they incur losses.
A black dog runs behind the installation. The owner, the operator of the complex with the call sign Demon, is playing with him.
— There are no difficulties in the enemy right now. Yes, at first there were "Atakms", "Stormshows". To be honest, it was a novelty. But they learned quickly, quickly understood what to do, how to adjust to it all. We adjusted a couple of times, and that's it, now we're clicking like nuts. On the contrary, even when we are on duty, there is silence, even sometimes we ourselves want some work to go, because sometimes it is even boring," says the Demon ironically, stroking the puppy.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
On the ground, the fighters feel the work of the air defense forces well. The demon recalls that once after the destruction of the Ukrainian Tochka-U missile, they were thanked by fighters whose temporary deployment point was covered by anti-aircraft gunners.
Of course, we also ask about the dog, we ask you to introduce this youngest member of the crew.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— As in the movie "Four Tankmen and a Dog", this is our male Caesar. A very smart kid, a security guard and our friend. Cheerful, adventurous, curious," says the fighter, showing with his palms what a small puppy the crew took Caesar. — It fit in one hand. And in three months it has already grown. Very smart, knows the commands, while some do. As soon as it's over, I'll definitely take him to his relatives.
Dmitry Astrakhan
