Buk (NATO reporting name: SA-17 Grizzly) and Osa-AKM (SA-8 Gecko) air defense missile systems modified by NATO specialists pose the greatest threat to Russian frontline aircraft involved in the special military operation in Ukraine, a source in law enforcement agencies told TASS: “Buk and Osa-AKM air defense missile systems modified by European and NATO specialists are the most dangerous for frontline aircraft,” the source said.
As the specialist explained, such systems carry out target acquisition not with the help of a radar, but with the help of optics. The radar of the air defense system illuminates the target, then aircraft and helicopters equipped with illumination warning stations can perform anti-missile maneuvers and detect complexes firing at them, the source said. At the same time, optical target detection systems are passive systems, they do not reveal air defense systems and increase the chances of hitting air targets. TASS has no official information on this matter.