On 9/3, Russia's Ministry of Defense released video footage captured by the electro-optical sensor of a Geran-2 loitering munition (UAV). The video shows a Ukrainian HIMARS battery deploying near Kamennaya Yaruga village in Kharkov province.
The combat vehicle was positioned quite close to the ammunition carrier, suggesting the battery was likely reloading missiles in preparation for a strike mission against Russian targets.
Geran-2 UAV strikes Ukrainian HIMARS rocket artillery in Kharkov province in a video released on 9/3. Video: Russia's Ministry of Defense
At least two Russian Geran-2 UAVs struck the site, likely completely destroying the combat vehicle and ammunition carrier. Subsequent images from a reconnaissance UAV showed traces of large explosions and debris scattered widely, as well as Ukrainian technical teams recovering vehicle wreckage.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the information.
HIMARS is a self-propelled multiple launch rocket system mounted on a wheeled chassis, capable of hitting targets up to 300 km away, depending on the munition type and configuration. A HIMARS launcher can reach a maximum speed of 85 km/h and quickly leave the firing position to avoid counter-battery fire.
A standard US HIMARS unit typically consists of 6 launchers, 12 resupply vehicles, and a command center. It is unclear whether Ukraine employs this structure, as HIMARS launchers are often attacked when operating individually or in formations of no more than three vehicles.
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Location of Kamennaya Yaruga village. Graphics: RYV
Western media reported in 5/2024 that Ukraine possessed 39 HIMARS launchers.
Russia has repeatedly used Iskander-M ballistic missiles to strike Ukrainian deployment and storage sites for HIMARS rocket artillery. Russian forces recently shifted to using both loitering munitions (UAVs) and inexpensive first-person view (FPV) drones to attack these targets.
It is currently unclear how many combat-capable HIMARS systems the Ukrainian military still possesses.
Nguyen Tien (According to Zvezda, AP, AFP)
