Venezuela has suffered a major air defense blow in the US attacks. The Russian-made 9K317M2 Buk-M2E medium-range air defense missile system deployed at Higuerote Air Base (about 75 kilometers east of Caracas, Miranda state) was completely destroyed. This is reported to be the second Buk-M2E system lost by Venezuela. Video footage clearly shows that the Buk-M2E launcher vehicle was directly hit. The missiles were loaded on the launcher, but despite this, there was no retaliatory fire. A military aircraft and air base infrastructure were also damaged in the attack.
According to experts, Venezuela’s radar and command-control systems were suppressed in the first wave of US attacks, rendering its air defenses completely inoperable. Military analysts believe this incident demonstrates Venezuela’s already weak air defenses during the US campaign. The country’s security capabilities have been further impacted amid claims of President Nicolas Maduro’s arrest. This attack is also considered a major blow to Russia, as its considered advanced weapons have proven ineffective in a real-world combat situation.