HIMARS Strike Destroys Five Russian Howitzers in Zaporizhzhia

(ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST) – Ukrainian forces carried out a counter battery strike using HIMARS systems, destroying or damaging five Russian artillery pieces on the southern front, according to video analysis published on 2 May.

The strike targeted Russian positions concealed along tree lines in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Drone reconnaissance identified the artillery units and observed them firing shortly before the strike.

Footage shows multiple precision impacts on the positions, with at least one strike followed by a secondary explosion, indicating the detonation of stored ammunition.

The targets were identified as two 122mm D 30 howitzers, two 152mm Msta B howitzers, and one 152mm Giatsint B gun.

Analysts said the strikes appeared accurate, with munitions hitting within the target area. The use of tungsten based munitions was suggested, though not independently confirmed.

The D 30 howitzer is a Soviet era system introduced in the 1960s with a range of about 15 kilometres. Russia had around 200 in active service at the start of the war, with more than 1,000 in storage. Open source data indicates at least 191 have been destroyed.

The Msta B howitzer, developed in the 1980s, is a more modern system. Russia had about 150 in service and around 100 in storage. At least 134 losses have been recorded.

The Giatsint B gun, also a 152mm system, was present in larger numbers, with about 150 in service and 350 in storage at the outset of the war. Fewer losses have been confirmed, with around 64 destroyed.

The location of the strike was not precisely geolocated but was reported to be within Zaporizhzhia region.

The operation reflects continued Ukrainian efforts to degrade Russian artillery capabilities through precision strikes.

Video footage of the strike was published by the YouTube channel Suchomimus.