Russian Grad Fires, Tries to Hide by the Woods—Ukrainian Drones Still Find It

Drone operators from Ukraine’s 42nd Mechanized Brigade tracked and destroyed a Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system after it fired at Ukrainian positions, according to footage released by the brigade on June 19.

The video shows Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance first detecting the Grad as it launched rockets toward Ukrainian lines.

After the strike, Russian forces attempted to hide the multiple launch rocket system close to a forested area. Ukrainian drone operators later found the vehicle and hit it.

Follow-up reconnaissance footage confirmed that the Grad was burning after the strike.

“The hunt for Russian Grads continues! Today we destroyed and added +1 enemy Grad to our record! We thank our servicemembers for their excellent work!” the brigade said in a comment accompanying the video.

The BM-21 Grad, whose name means “Hail,” is one of the most widely used Soviet-designed multiple launch rocket systems. Developed in the early 1960s, it was officially adopted into service on March 28, 1963, after field and combat testing.

The system has been used in conflicts around the world and has been extensively deployed by Russian forces in their war against Ukraine.

Mounted on a Ural-4320 high-mobility truck chassis, the BM-21 carries 40 launch tubes for 122mm rockets. A full salvo can be fired in about 20 seconds, covering an impact area of up to 14.5 hectares.

The Grad can strike targets at ranges of up to 40 kilometers. Its reload time is around seven minutes, and the launcher can leave its firing position within about one minute after firing a salvo.

A typical crew consists of three personnel, while the vehicle can carry up to 60 rockets.

Earlier, Ukrainian drone operators destroyed a full battery of Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems on the Pokrovsk axis, in a coordinated strike involving multiple units.

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