Ukraine blows up Russian heavy rocket systems in Crimea

Ukrainian forces destroyed a unit of Russian heavy multiple launch rocket systems in occupied Crimea using a long-range one-way strike drone, according to Militarnyi.

The strike targeted Russian rocket artillery systems before they could be employed against Ukrainian positions.

According to Militarnyi, the attack took place near the settlement of Karakul in Russian-occupied Crimea and was carried out by a unit of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with intelligence from the Security Service of Ukraine. The strike employed a one-way long-range drone developed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point.

The report states that three Russian multiple launch rocket systems of the BM-30 Smerch or Tornado-S type were destroyed, along with a transport-loader vehicle. The systems are believed to be part of a heavy rocket artillery unit deployed in the area.

As reported by Militarnyi, the destroyed systems were likely modernized variants known as Tornado-S, an upgraded version of the Soviet-era Smerch system. The platform is designed for long-range strike missions and is capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 120 kilometers using guided munitions.

The Tornado-S system incorporates improvements in targeting accuracy and range compared to earlier Smerch systems. It uses satellite-guided rockets, enabling more precise engagement of targets at extended distances.

Multiple launch rocket systems such as the BM-30 Smerch and Tornado-S are used to deliver high volumes of fire over large areas or against specific targets. Their long range allows them to strike infrastructure, troop concentrations, and logistical hubs from positions well behind the front line.

The destruction of such systems can reduce an adversary’s ability to conduct sustained long-range bombardment and limit pressure on frontline positions and urban areas. Targeting these assets in rear areas is part of a broader strategy to degrade artillery capabilities.

Militarnyi reported that this may be the sixth confirmed destruction of a Tornado-S system by Ukrainian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion. The first such system was reportedly destroyed in the Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022.

The strike was conducted using a one-way attack drone, a class of unmanned aerial systems designed to deliver a payload to a target without returning. These systems are often used for precision strikes against fixed or semi-mobile targets, particularly when operating at extended ranges.