During the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army uses aircraft, drones and Smerch multiple rocket launchers
MLRS “Smerch” was developed in the USSR in 1986, adopted in 1989. Photo: collage “Today”
On the night of February 24, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. The settlements of the country were subjected to massive rocket and bomb attacks and artillery shelling. What does the army of the Russian Federation shoot with, how to recognize missiles by sound and what weapons does the Armed Forces of Ukraine respond to?
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy uses aviation, attack drones and Smerch multiple rocket launchers.
What is MLRS “Smerch”
9K58 “Smerch” – Russian multiple launch rocket system of 300 mm caliber was developed in the USSR in 1986, adopted in 1989. The artillery unit is mounted on the chassis of a MAZ-79111 or MAZ-543M truck.
Preparing “Smerch” for battle after receiving target designation takes 3 minutes; a full salvo is fired within 38 seconds. After firing, the battery is ready to march in one minute.
“Tornados” were loaded with 300-mm rockets with a cluster warhead with fragmentation submunitions. In particular: 72 combat elements carrying 96 ready-made heavy fragments each designed to destroy unarmored vehicles, and 360 ready-made light fragments each designed to destroy enemy manpower in their concentration areas; in total – up to 32,832 fragments.
Multiple launch rocket system “Smerch” Photo: war-book.ru
The area affected by the element is 300 – 1100 m². Armor penetration at a distance of 10 m 5 – 7 mm, at a distance of 100 m – 1-3 mm. 12 shells contain 393,984 finished fragments. Most effective in open areas, in the steppe and desert.
Military expert Yakub Voinarovsky notes that “Smerch” is a long-range system.
“Rockets can be fired directly from the territory of Russia. And it was from there that the Kharkiv region was fired by these installations,” the expert says to Segodnya.
Is it possible to recognize the flight of a rocket by sound
According to Voinarovsky, the sound of a Smerch MLRS rocket in flight is different from the sound of an airplane or other flying vehicle.
“The flight of the rocket is heard from afar. The sound is like a rustle with a slight crackle,” he explains.
What rocket launchers are in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Ukrainian army is also armed with Smerch systems. In addition, there are the following MLRS:
- “Grad”
- “Willow”
- “Hurricane”
- “Alder”
- “Berest”
- “Stormy”
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine also use weapons that they received from the allies,” Yakub Voinarovsky added.
Recall that President of Ukraine Zelensky said that in addition to bombs and missiles, the enemy is attacking Ukraine with fakes. Therefore, the head of state promised to regularly make official statements.
Recall that on the morning of February 24, residents of many cities of Ukraine woke up from the sound of volleys. Shelling was heard throughout Ukraine.
Russian military equipment, including armored, violated the state border in Chernihiv, Sumy, Lugansk, Kharkiv regions.
According to the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the area of the Joint Forces Operation aggressor planes and helicopters were shot down.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the introduction of martial law throughout the country. The Verkhovna Rada supported the introduction of martial law at an emergency meeting.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny spoke about the situation in Ukraine and said that the president had given the order to inflict maximum losses on the invaders.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said how will the capital live under martial law:
- hospitals, clinicsthe entire medical system of the capital is working in an enhanced mode.
- the subway is operating normally, travel is free.
- balance holders were instructed ensure access to shelters for the population.
Source: Segodnya
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