Russian drone demolishes Ukrainian HIMARS launcher in Donetsk

(MENAFN) Russian forces have successfully destroyed a Ukrainian HIMARS multiple launch rocket system using a first-person view (FPV) drone, according to a report by Russia's Ministry of Defense. The strike, attributed to the Rubicon drone team, occurred in the Donetsk People's Republic. The military released footage showing the HIMARS system firing projectiles and moving along a road with an escort vehicle, followed by a drone strike that targeted and destroyed the launcher.

HIMARS systems, valued at around $20 million each, are crucial to Ukraine’s military capabilities, able to strike targets as far as 90 kilometers away and relocate quickly to avoid counterattacks. While Russia has previously claimed to destroy HIMARS units, those instances typically involved ballistic missile strikes or finding stationary launchers.

FPV drones, known for being low-cost but limited in range, usually face challenges against electronic countermeasures. However, this recent attack used a fiber-optic cable to control the drone, offering a more secure method than traditional radio control, which is vulnerable to interference. This approach is akin to the technology used in wire-guided missiles. Russia frequently reports using such drones in the ongoing conflict.

The destruction of valuable Western weaponry, particularly from the US, poses difficulties for Ukraine, especially as some Western leaders, such as former President Donald Trump, push for reduced American involvement in the conflict. Meanwhile, European NATO allies continue to support Ukraine, including discussing the possibility of sending troops—a stance that Russia strongly opposes.

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