Russian General Killed in Ukraine’s HIMARS Attack on Kherson Ammunition Depot: Report

A top Russian General was reportedly killed when Ukraine hit an ammunition depot used by the enemy with U.S.-donated HIMARS missiles.

The Chief of Staff for the 22nd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Major General Artem Nasbulin was among at least seven people killed in the deadly strikes, Daily Mail reported today.

A video shared by Ukraine shows a fireball eruption and mushroom cloud in Nova Kakhovka in the occupied Kherson region after HIMARS rockets blasted into the depot where saltpeter is stored for fertilizer and explosives. HIMARS can hit targets upto 50 miles away, so Kherson was out of range for Ukrainian forces before the United States delivered it to them.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the alleged death of the Russian general, nor has the Kremlin.

Russia has, however, acknowledged the strikes. Defense Ministry-owned Zvezda wrote that the Ukrainians hit the settlement from HIMARS multiple launch rocket system with 227 mm caliber shells at least six times.

Footage shared by the ministry shows bright flash followed by shock waves demolishing doors and window frames. “At least five people are reported dead and seven missing. It is possible that this figure will grow. There are at least 80 seriously wounded men and women in hospital.”

Three days before the attack, Nova Kakhovka was monitored from American satellites but the Pentagon remains silent, the report alleged.

Earlier, Russian claims of destroying two HIMARS launchers in Donbass was rejected by Ukraine.

The U.S. delivered up to 12 HIMARS launchers whose GPS-guided missiles have a range of far more advanced than Ukraine’s existing artillery capabilities, and double that of the M777 howitzers. At roughly 80km, it generally puts HIMARS MLRS out of range of Russia’s own artillery, while placing the Russian batteries at risk.

HIMARS units carry one preloaded pod of six 227mm guided missiles (its predecessor M270 carries two pods), or one large pod loaded with an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) tactical missile. Washington will not supply Ukraine with the ATACMS, which has a range of 300km.

With a small trained crew, the HIMARS MLRS can remove a spent pod and load a fresh one in minutes, without other vehicles helping.

The HIMARS MLRS are expected to contain Russian advances. Having a far greater range than field artillery, the HIMARS are supposed to be the nemesis of tanks and armored vehicles.