The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), provided by the United States, has played a pivotal role in some of the most lethal strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces against Russian military targets during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Over two years into the conflict, the toll on Russian troops has been substantial, with the UK Defense Ministry estimating 450,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the conflict began, though neither side has confirmed exact figures.
With Russia seemingly possessing a numerical advantage on the battlefield, Ukraine has leveraged HIMARS and Western cruise missiles to inflict significant casualties. Notable instances of these weapon systems shaping the battlefield include a strike on a Russian military training area in occupied Luhansk, where more than 100 Russian soldiers were killed after Ukrainian forces launched an ATACMS long-range missile strike. Geolocation of the strike indicated a direct hit on a gathering of Russian troops, showering them with hundreds of M74 APAM bomblets.
The HIMARS has also been utilized in targeted strikes against large congregations of Russian troops. In in February of this year, at least 60 Russian soldiers awaiting the arrival of a senior commander were eliminated by a Ukrainian HIMARS attack near the village of Trudovske. This strike illustrated the risks of massing forces in the open, a lesson that was harshly learned by Russian troops in Ukraine. In another incident in 2023, a Ukrainian attack likely resulted in the deaths of over 70 Russian soldiers 14 miles behind the front line in Kherson oblast, showcasing Ukraine’s capacity for precision-strike operations.
These weapons have not only targeted ground forces but also naval assets. The Russian warship Novocherkassk, part of the Black Sea Fleet, suffered severe damage in a Ukrainian strike last year, with reports indicating the possible involvement of highly-rated British Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Similarly, HIMARS played a role in disrupting Russian forces on Dzharylhach Island, with Ukraine claiming 200 casualties from an attack on training soldiers.
Despite the apparent effectiveness of these strikes, the war is far from one-sided. Russia has purportedly destroyed several Ukrainian-operated HIMARS, with the Russian Defense Minister claiming six systems were taken out since early 2024. Nevertheless, the ongoing provision of US military aid, including further ammunition for HIMARS, emphasizes the continued reliance of Ukrainian forces on Western support to sustain their war effort.
Relevant articles:
– 9 of Ukraine’s deadliest single strikes — US HIMARS and ATACMS take a toll , Business Insider, 05/04/2024
– Russian Video Appears to Show Two HIMARS Launchers Destroyed in Strike, Newsweek, 05/02/2024
– Russian forces wipe out two US-made HIMARS in Ukraine in fresh blow to artillery, Express, 05/02/2024
– Shocking moment Putin’s troops are wiped out in strike, Express, 05/03/2024
– U.K. lifts restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weapons against Russia, The Washington Post, 05/03/2024