Russia Says It Fired Rockets At Ukrainian Positions Using ‘Grad’ MLRS

Russia has said that it has fired rockets at Ukrainian positions using ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems.

The images show Russian soldiers preparing one of the war machines for action before it reportedly manoeuvres into position and opens fire on unseen Ukrainian targets.

The images were obtained from the Russian Minister of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 24th March, along with a statement claiming: “Crews of the MLRS ‘Grad’ of the Western Military District destroyed a number of objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the zone of the special military operation.”

The Russian MoD added: “The crews of the Grad MLRS of the Western Military District, in the course of the special military operation, continue to carry out fire missions to destroy artillery batteries of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroy camouflaged defensive structures, suppress command posts, destroy enemy fire weapons, weapons and military equipment, using the tactics of frequent changes in firing positions.

“Rocket-volley artillery is also used for barrage fire on the routes of a possible withdrawal or advance of the enemy.

“The shock wave and fragments that scatter hundreds of metres destroy identified firing positions and fortifications.

“Accurate aiming plays an important role in striking. In this, the artillerymen of the Western Military District are assisted by crews of unmanned aerial vehicles. The collected data is promptly transmitted to field headquarters and commanders of rocket-artillery batteries.

Russian “Grad” fire rockets at Ukrainian military positions in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian Ministry of Defence on Friday, Mar. 24, 2023. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

“The crews of combat vehicles are on duty around the clock. Tasks require quick response and maximum composure.

“Often you have to work in conditions of counter-battery combat.

“Mutual assistance helps warriors endure all the difficulties and dangers of military labour.”

The statement quotes a senior gunner with the call sign Yakut as saying: “All the same, those who are here served and they took an oath. I believe that if a person took an oath when he served, he is obliged to fulfil it. In front of the country, in front of the people, in front of relatives.”

The statement continued: “After striking, the MLRS crews always leave the firing position at maximum speed. Reloading of the Grad MLRS is carried out in safe areas, after which they move to new firing positions to strike at newly identified targets.

“The fire of the batteries of the Western Military District is carried out on targets using carousel tactics, when one battery leaves for positions, the other is already reloading and the third moves to a new firing position. Thus, frequent change of positions and charging allows you to inflict maximum damage on the enemy and be outside the zone of aimed fire of his artillery.

“Artillery fire is corrected and targets destroyed are recorded using the calculations of unmanned aerial vehicle systems, which transmit the results of fire damage to the artillery command post in real time.

“With the same rank as the artillerymen of the Western Military District, combat missions are performed by military personnel called up from the reserve as part of the partial mobilisation, who have completed the full cycle of training and combat coordination at the training grounds of the Western Military District, including in the rear areas of the zone of the special military operation.

“In order to quickly adapt the servicemen to the combat situation, all training sessions at the training grounds were conducted under the guidance of experienced instructors who shared their rich combat experience gained during the special military operation.

“At the training grounds, mobilised and volunteers worked out scenarios for a real battle. They are reminded not only how to shoot, but also how to move as part of the units.

“All citizens who arrived from the reserve had previously served in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, many of them have combat experience in ‘hot spots’.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 394th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th March 2023, Russia had lost about 169,170 personnel, 3,574 tanks, 6,921 armoured combat vehicles, 2,616 artillery units, 511 multiple launch rocket systems, 276 air defence systems, 305 warplanes, 290 helicopters, 2,208 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,464 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 277 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Speaking to the European Union on Thursday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky again asked for additional long-range weapons from his Western allies.

EU leaders also approved a plan, which had been previously agreed by foreign ministers earlier this week, to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells over the next year.

Russian “Grad” fire rockets at Ukrainian military positions in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian Ministry of Defence on Friday, Mar. 24, 2023. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

Zelensky has visited the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, vowing to rebuild following Russia’s invasion.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said: “The aggressor does not give up hope of taking Bakhmut at any cost, despite the losses in manpower and equipment.”

Syrskyi added that Russia is losing “considerable strength” and that “very soon we will take advantage of this opportunity, as we once did near Kyiv, Kharkiv, Balakliia and Kupiansk”.

These are all areas that Ukraine has liberated from Russian occupation since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, has said that the EU will work to find some 16,200 Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia.

She said that only 300 children had been returned to Ukraine so far, calling it a reminder of “the darkest times in our history”.

The Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has said that Russia’s relations with the West are at an all-time low, adding that the threat of nuclear conflict “has grown”.

He added: “Every day when they provide Ukraine with foreign weapons brings the nuclear apocalypse closer.”

He also said that any attempt made to arrest Russia’s President Vladimir Putin would constitute a declaration of war against Russia.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that he would not arrest Putin if he entered the country.

Sauli Niinisto, the President of Finland, has signed legislation to make his country a member of NATO.