Ukrainian airborne forces have reported using strike drones to intercept two Russian BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers near Huliaipole in southern Ukraine, targeting one system in a firing position and another moving along a logistics route.
According to the 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, the drones were operated by the 237th Unmanned Systems Battalion on the Huliaipole–Pology highway. The corps said Russian forces were attempting to use the road as a logistical artery. It described the route as being about 15 km from the front line.
Launchers targeted in different circumstances
The first Grad launcher was detected on the outskirts of Huliaipole after it had taken up a position for shelling, the report said. A second multiple-launch rocket system was intercepted on the highway while travelling toward Huliaipole. Militarnyi did not provide details on the drone types used, munitions, or the extent of damage to the launchers.
The reported operation comes as Ukrainian officials say unmanned systems are being used to monitor Russian supply movements and engage personnel and equipment before they reach forward positions. Anastasiia Shevchenko, spokesperson for the Army Group South, told Ukrinform that Russian forces had reduced their use of heavy equipment because Ukrainian unmanned systems could detect logistics movements and strike targets while in transit.
The enemy has stopped using heavy equipment because our Unmanned Systems Forces are monitoring its logistics, detecting personnel and equipment in a timely manner, and striking them—for the most part—while they are still on the move.
Anastasiia Shevchenko, quoted by Ukrinform
Fewer assaults reported in the sector
Shevchenko said the number of Russian assaults in the Huliaipole sector had fallen from 20 to 30 per day in May through July to roughly 10 per day. She said Russian forces had moved away from broad-front offensive operations and were instead employing small assault groups.
Russian troops continued to conduct periodic small-group assaults supported by armoured vehicles in the sector, she said, while describing the wider operational situation in the Joint Forces Operation Zone South as largely unchanged and combat intensity as low. Over the preceding 24 hours, Shevchenko reported 13 combat clashes, including 10 Russian attempts to advance in the Huliaipole sector near Hirkove and toward Kosivtsove, Rizdvyanka and Charivne.
The claims concerning the Grad launchers and battlefield effects were reported by Ukrainian military formations and were not independently verified in the source. Separately, the equipment-tracking resource Oryx has recorded at least 371 Russian Grad launchers as destroyed or otherwise lost, according to Militarnyi.
