Ukrainian forces obliterate rare Russian Uragan-1 in major strike
Ukrainian Special Forces have destroyed a rare Russian Uragan-1 MLRS system, which was initially mistaken for the Korean KN-09.
Ukrainian Special Forces released footage showing the destruction of the Russian Uragan-1 MLRS system and the nearby Buk-M3 air defense system that was protecting it. According to Defense Express, the Ballista unit is credited with this success. The Uragan-1 is a rare system, with deliveries to the Russian army beginning in 2023.
Modern chassis and crew protection
The Uragan-1 differs from its predecessor by featuring a new BAZ-69092 chassis, which replaced the old ZIL-135LM. The vehicle is equipped with an armored cabin, enhancing crew survivability and protection from shrapnel. However, despite having a modern chassis, the system still requires the use of an artillery compass for targeting, which negatively affects the time needed to transition to a combat position.
New Russian self-propelled howitzers, such as the 2S43 Malva and 2S44 Giatsint-K, also utilize similar chassis. The 220 mm caliber launcher and guidance system used in the Uragan-1 MLRS are taken from the Uragan MLRS without changes to its design.
The footage depicting the destruction of the Uragan-1 has sparked a lot of controversy. The FPV drone footage shows a horizontal flight trajectory, whereas the reconnaissance drone video shows a vertical approach to the target. This suggests that the Uragan-1 might have been hit by an M30A1 rocket from the American HIMARS system, rather than by an FPV drone.
Uragan-1 mistaken for the Korean KN-09 system
Initially, the footage of the Uragan-1 destruction was misidentified as showing the North Korean KN-09 system and later as the M1991 MLRS. Defense Express reports that Ukrainian HIMARS destroyed a North Korean KN-09 launcher in Russia's Kursk region, marking the first confirmed destruction of this system.
