Russian BM‑21 grad blasted by HIMARS in dramatic footage
A Russian soldier participating in the war in Ukraine decided to film one of the attacks, which was supposed to be carried out using the BM-21 Grad. However, the attack did not occur because a missile from a HIMARS launcher hit the Russian equipment.
The footage that surfaced on social media shows the moment the BM-21 Grad, which was preparing to conduct the shelling, was hit and completely destroyed. Secondary explosions are also visible, confirming that the launcher was loaded with ammunition.
HIMARS destroys BM-21 Grad
The BM-21 Grad is one of the weapons most frequently used by Russians in Ukraine. This is mainly because they had a very large stockpile of these systems, designed in the 1960s.
The system features a tube launcher with 40 guides (10 in each of four rows) for 122 mm caliber missiles mounted on a truck chassis, most often a Ural-375D. This configuration makes the set mobile, allowing it to move at about 43 mph on paved roads. The range of the BM-21 Grad is about 13 miles for standard fragmentation-warhead missiles and even 25 miles when using special ammunition.
Artillery is a key weapon in Ukraine
When assessing the effectiveness of various types of weapons in the war in Ukraine, both soldiers and analysts point out that seemingly outdated artillery plays a crucial role. However, the Russians are having problems acquiring additional systems to replace those destroyed by Ukrainians. Warehouse stockpiles are noticeably dwindling, prompting Moscow to begin acquiring artillery from North Korea by the end of 2024.
The Ukrainians, on the other hand, continue to use both Soviet-era systems and much more modern NATO equipment. One example is the HIMARS artillery, which, with its 227 mm GMLRS missiles, can destroy targets within a range of about 43-50 miles. The MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles, also compatible with these launchers, offer even greater range.
