Russian army says it destroyed HIMARS used in attack on Sevastopol
3 Min Read
The June 23 attack on Sevastopol resulted in four fatalities, including two children, and left more than 150 people injured.
-
Screengrab of a footage displaying the destruction of Ukraine's HIMARS. (Russian MoD)
The Russia Ministry of Defense reported on Monday that its Iskander missile systems had successfully neutralized HIMARS launchers operated by the Ukrainian armed forces during an attack on Sevastopol on June 23.
"Footage of … destruction of launchers of US-made M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers equipped with ATACMS missiles, which were used in the Kiev regime's criminal strike on Sevastopol on June 23," the ministry said in a statement and posted a video of the Iskander missile strike.
Claimed to have hit three HIMARS MLRS launchers near the village of Klapaya (Kherson region). The strike was carried out by Iskander missile defense systems. Images of the Russian Defense Ministry.#Ukraine #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar #NATO #USA pic.twitter.com/E70Z667v9M
— JS (@JS_nws) July 8, 2024
Ukrainian forces launched an attack on Sevastopol on June 23, the largest city on the Crimean Peninsula, using ATACMS missiles equipped with cluster warheads supplied by the US.
During the attack, four of the missiles were intercepted, while one missile was deflected and detonated over the city.
This incident resulted in four fatalities, including two children, and left more than 150 people injured.
Read more: Russia blames US for Ukraine deadly attack on Crimea, says ATACMS used
On July 1st, the US admitted that it approved the Ukrainian request to use US-supplied weapons to conduct strikes on Russia, explaining that the green light was given on condition that the Ukrainians would limit their strikes to the border areas of Kharkiv, where Russian forces entered in early May.
"Over the past few weeks, Ukraine came to us and asked for the authorization to use weapons that we're providing to defend against this aggression, including against Russian forces that are massing on the Russian side of the border, and then attacking Ukraine. And that went right to the president. And as you've heard, he's approved the use of our weapons for that purpose," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a press conference following an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that US support for Ukraine is responsive to battlefield conditions and requirements. He emphasized the importance of adaptation and adjustment, ensuring Ukraine receives the necessary systems and weapons. Blinken reiterated the significance of providing training and capacity building to ensure the effective utilization and maintenance of the supplied weapons systems.
Blinken noted that NATO allies are intensifying their efforts to meet Ukraine's needs, citing recent commitments from the Netherlands and Germany to provide additional Patriot air defense systems. He also highlighted the Czech Republic's initiative to establish a coalition for urgently supplying artillery shells to the Ukrainian armed forces.
