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Rare Russian Tornado-S MLRS Obliterated by Ukrainian Drones 33 km From Frontline

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Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk
Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer
Rare Russian Tornado-S MLRS Obliterated by Ukrainian Drones 33 km From Frontline
Ukrainian drone footage shows the destruction of a rare Russian Russian Tornado-S or BM-30 Smerch multiple launch rocket system 33 kilometers from the front line. (Source: Defense forces of the South of Ukraine)

Ukrainian forces have destroyed a rare Russian long-range multiple launch rocket system, likely the modernized Tornado-S, according to Defense Express report on October 17.

The strike was carried out by Ukraine’s Lasar’s Group, which detected the launcher operating in a field roughly 33 kilometers from the front line.

After spotting its movement into cover, Ukrainian drones struck the system with a suicide UAV, followed by a bombing run that caused a large secondary explosion, confirming its destruction, Defense Express wrote.

The Tornado-S—or BM-30 Smerch, if it was the older variant—had been shelling civilian areas across Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The upgraded Tornado-S has a range of up to 120 kilometers, making it difficult to detect and destroy.

This marks only the third confirmed elimination of a BM-30 or Tornado-S system since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Express.

The operation also demonstrates Ukraine’s growing ability to locate and destroy high-value Russian assets, with reconnaissance drones reportedly using relay systems to extend strike range, Defense Express stated.

Previously, Ukrainian military intelligence had revealed that Russia’s D-30SN universal glide bomb incorporates components sourced from foreign companies not currently under international sanctions.

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