FrankenSAM Unleashed: The Untold Story Behind the Night 621 Targets Vanished From the Sky
For the first time, official footage from the Air Force of Ukraine has revealed the modernized Buk air defense system, upgraded under the innovative FrankenSAM program, in direct combat. The video, released without any third-party leaks, marks a significant milestone, showcasing the system's operational capability during a massive combined Russian air attack on the night of December 22-23, 2025.
Previously, the public had only seen photographic evidence of the FrankenSAM's integration, specifically launchers fitted with American AIM-7 missiles. However, the newly released video provides undeniable proof of the system's active role in defending Ukrainian skies.
The combat footage captures Ukrainian defenders repelling a relentless assault that began at 18:00 on December 22. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy unleashed an unprecedented 673 air attack means, including a mix of Shahed and Gerbera drones, formidable X-47M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles, and X-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles. Ukrainian radio engineering troops successfully detected and tracked 38 missiles and 635 drones. In a testament to the effectiveness of their air defense, Ukrainian forces remarkably shot down or suppressed 621 of these air targets, with the modernized Buk FrankenSAM playing a crucial part in this defensive effort.
The FrankenSAM program represents a ingenious solution to maintain and enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities. For the Buk-M1 system, this modernization involves the crucial integration of American AIM-7 missiles into the 9A310M1 self-propelled launchers and the 9A39 launcher. This adaptation is vital, allowing the system to sustain combat operations even in the face of potential shortages of its original Soviet-era ammunition.
Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, aptly described the project in November 2023 as a "hybrid between the Soviet and the American," highlighting the innovative blend of technologies. The American RIM-7 missile, a key component of this upgrade, boasts a formidable range, capable of engaging air targets up to 20,000 meters in distance and 15,000 meters in altitude.
The first modernized systems under the FrankenSAM program were reportedly delivered in May 2024, culminating in this critical combat debut in late 2025. This development underscores Ukraine's growing capacity for self-reliance in military innovation. Senior Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshyn recently affirmed that Ukraine is now able to independently implement the FrankenSAM project.
As the conflict continues, the operational effectiveness of these modernized Buk systems will be under intense scrutiny. The initial combat engagement provides a strong indicator of their potential to fortify the Ukrainian front and protect critical infrastructure from ongoing aerial threats, marking a new chapter in Ukraine's adaptive defense strategy.
