5 HIMARS Destroyed? Detailed Analysis of Russian Druzhkivka Strike Claims
Table of Contents 📖
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"I think the Russians are talking rubbish and there might have been some damage to stuff, but certainly not in the same league as what the Russians are claiming."
Hello Team!
Jonathan analyzes Russian claims that they destroyed 5 HIMARS rocket systems, 4 Czech RM-70 Vampire rocket launchers, 800 rockets, 8 vehicles and killed 200 Ukrainian soldiers in a retaliatory strike on the Ukrainian town of Druzhkivka. The strike was in response to the Ukrainian HIMARS attack on Russian barracks in Makiivka that killed hundreds of Russian troops.
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Analysis of the strike footage
Jonathan examines footage of the strike taken by a French TV reporter. The explosion happens behind the reporter at a railway station, but it is dark and there is no evidence of troops or equipment being unloaded as Russia claims. A second strike hits an ice rink in the town. Footage from inside the rink the next day shows some damage but no signs of casualties. The Ukrainians say it was used for storing humanitarian aid. Jonathan believes the second explosion at the railway station was an electrical transformer being hit, not a secondary ammunition detonation as Russia claims.
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Inconsistencies in Russian claims
The Russian claims about the number of HIMARS and casualties keep increasing in different statements, going from 2 to 5 HIMARS. An alleged Ukrainian source is referenced as confirming 100 deaths, but it appears to be from a suspicious Telegram bot. The visual evidence does not support the high casualty claims. Different Russian sources give conflicting information about what was hit.
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Conclusions
While Jonathan allows that there may have been some losses of Ukrainian military equipment from additional missile strikes that night, he sees no evidence to support the high Russian casualty claims and believes they are exaggerated to claim revenge for the Makiivka attack. He assesses that at most a couple of vehicles could have been destroyed near the railway station, but not the hundreds of rockets and soldiers Russia claims. The ice rink does not appear to be a military target and the humanitarian damage is consistent with Ukraine's report of two aid workers injured.
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Wrap up
Jonathan invites viewers to share their own analysis and thanks them for their input and support of his channel. He appreciates the chance to talk through the evidence step-by-step and reach a conclusion.
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