Video shows what happens when a HIMARS targets a Russian air defense system

Ukraine may be best known for its forces’ use of drones in their fight against Russia, but even though modern warfare is increasingly relying on unmanned armed vehicles, more conventional weapons also play a key role.

Reconnaissance specialists from Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps recently spotted a prized Russian Buk air defense system operating near the front. The unit immediately transmitted the launcher’s location to an awaiting artillery strike team.

Russian crew members detected the incoming threat on their radar displays. Realizing the danger, they launched two interceptor missiles into the sky in a frantic attempt to shoot down the approaching rockets.

Their defensive maneuver came too late. A precision rocket slammed into the Russian installation, triggering a violent secondary explosion that totally destroyed the 9A316 launcher and radar setup, according to United24 Media.

Combat footage released on social media by Ukraine’s 45th Artillery Brigade confirmed the complete loss of the air defense unit.

Tungsten rain

Field assessments indicate Ukrainian forces likely loaded the strike platform with an M30A1 rocket. The weapon disperses thousands of high-density tungsten shrapnel submunitions designed to shred lightly armored vehicles and crew members across a wide radius.

This attack stands out as the first verified combat deployment of American M142 HIMARS launchers by the 45th Artillery Brigade during the war.

The unit already commands a diverse arsenal of allied hardware. Its regular operations feature German PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, Swedish Archer artillery systems, and native Ukrainian Bohdana platforms.

According to United24 Media, American-supplied rocket artillery continues to spread across new Ukrainian formations. Observers recently identified HIMARS vehicles active within the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Air Assault Forces.

In March 2025, Forbes reported that the US had supplied Ukraine with a total of 40 HIMARS. At the time, 38 were operational after Russia had destroyed two.

No safe ground

Precision rocket launches are part of a broader campaign targeting Russian heavy equipment stationed far behind the main line of contact.

In the Vovchansk sector, Ukrainian drone crews recently hunted down two Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers hiding in rear positions.

The heavy Russian guns moved frequently and used extensive camouflage to avoid detection. Even so, coordinated aerial recon tracked their movements and guided precision strikes to neutralize both howitzers before they could relocate.

This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation