Russian forces reportedly destroy US‑supplied HIMARS in Ukraine

For an extended period, Russian claims of targeting M142 HIMARS launchers were met with skepticism due to a lack of verifiable evidence, leading many to dismiss these assertions as pure propaganda.

The recent video, however, dispels any doubts regarding the Russian military's capability to achieve such a feat, illustrating the successful destruction of one of the launchers that the United States had supplied to Ukraine. Reportedly, the incident occurred near the village of Nikonorivka in the Donetsk region.

Footage circulated online captures the moment a Russian drone spots the HIMARS before it is hit and subsequently destroyed. The video chronicles the initial impact and the subsequent large explosion caused by the detonation of its munitions. The magnitude of the blast indicates the complete destruction of the launcher.

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There is some debate regarding the weapon the Russians employed to destroy the HIMARS. While some speculate the use of the 9K720 Iskander-M ballistic missile, others believe a 9K515 Tornado-S system, an advanced version of the BM-30 Smerch system, was used. This system, akin to the HIMARS in terms of being a multiple rocket launcher, differs as the Ukrainian HIMARS launch 227-mm GMLRS missiles, effective over distances of 43-50 miles, whereas the Tornado-S can fire heavier 300 mm caliber missiles, reaching up to 125 miles.

The confirmed destruction of the HIMARS bears significant propagandistic value for the Kremlin, given that the American-supplied rocket launchers have posed considerable challenges for Russian forces throughout the conflict.

The deployment of this equipment has markedly transformed the battlefield dynamics for Ukraine, enabling effective counter-battery fire and the destruction of distant targets well beyond the immediate conflict zone.

In response, the presence of HIMARS has necessitated a strategic adjustment from Russian forces, compelling them to reallocate ammunition and supply depots further within territory under their control.