[ad_1]
- Ukraine reportedly killed two top Russian pilots using US-sponsored HIMARS.
- The father of one of the pilots shared his vision with Russian media.
- The US has sent 12 units to Ukraine so far, with four more on the way.
Two Russian pilots were killed by HIMARS, a long-range rocket system provided by the United States, according to a report.
Lt. Col. Maxim Potiomin, 41, was hit by a precision-guided rocket launcher in his motorcade in Donetsk on July 8, Mail Online reported.
Another fighter pilot, Colonel Anatoly Stasyukevich, 54, was reportedly killed in the same attack.
While the news of their deaths was known earlier, Maxim Potiomin’s father, Alexei, told Russian newspaper V1.ru this week that his son’s death was caused by a HIMARS strike.
“As far as I know, the car with my son was hit by a missile from the HIMARS complex, which we have been hearing a lot about lately… the injuries were not compatible with life,” Potimin told the newspaper.
The pilot’s funeral was held on Sunday and he was buried with full military honors, the news agency reported.
Both pilots were senior officers in the 1st Guards Baranovici Red Banner Mixed Aviation Unit, Mail Online said. In the year In 2019, it will be the first unit to receive Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighters, which will include helicopter-rescue, according to reports.
A photo shared by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine thanking the US for its donation to HIMARS.
Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which entered Ukraine early last month, are beginning to play a critical role in the fight against Russia.
The US has so far delivered 12 units to Ukraine, with four more on the way, General Mark Mille said.
A military expert told Insider’s Sinead Baker that HIMARS is the “perfect” weapon because Russia’s weak logistics will allow senior commanders to enter the region.
HIMARS are more advanced than Ukraine’s artillery capabilities and can hit targets up to 50 miles away.
Ukraine says the missile was used to kill a Russian general, destroy 50 ammunition depots and hit a key bridge.
When Ukraine sent the weapons, Russia reacted angrily, with Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening to escalate his bombing campaign in response.
The two fighter pilots are among dozens of senior Russian officers killed in Ukraine.
[ad_2]
Source link
