The Russian Ministry of Defense released infrared footage from a reconnaissance drone showing what appears to be a Ukrainian HIMARS rocket artillery system parked on a road near Zhikhovo village in Sumy Oblast. An Iskander-M ballistic missile then strikes the target, detonating directly above it.
The drone continues to circle the area to assess the strike's aftermath, revealing the Ukrainian system engulfed in flames and seemingly broken into pieces. No secondary explosions were observed, possibly indicating that the system had already expended its ammunition or was en route to a resupply point.
"The attack completely destroyed the HIMARS launcher along with its escort vehicle and killed 10 Ukrainian soldiers," the Russian Ministry of Defense stated.
The Ukrainian military has not commented on the report.
In a statement on 14/8, the Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia attacked Ukraine with 45 Geran suicide drones and decoy aircraft, primarily targeting Chernihiv Oblast and Kyiv-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast, along with two repurposed S-300/S-400 missiles aimed at Sumy Oblast.
Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have intercepted 24 drones, but admitted that the remaining 21 drones and the S-300/S-400 missiles got through.
 |
Location of Zhikhovo village, Sumy Oblast. Graphics: RYV |
The HIMARS is a wheeled, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher with a range of up to 300 km, depending on the ammunition and configuration. The HIMARS launcher can reach speeds of up to 85 km/h and quickly leave its firing position to avoid counter-battery fire.
Western media reported in 5/2024 that Ukraine possessed 39 HIMARS launchers, of which at least three were completely destroyed and two were damaged and sent back to the US for repairs. The Russian military has since released numerous videos of attacks on Ukrainian HIMARS systems, showing several systems completely destroyed.
It is currently unclear how many operational HIMARS systems the Ukrainian military still has.
Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, AP)
