Russia claims it destroyed Ukraine's HIMARS ammunition depot as war enters day 180

As ruthless war between Moscow and Kyiv has entered its 180th day, spokesperson of Russian Defense Ministry, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov stated that nation’s Armed Forces have destroyed an ammunition depot, containing  missiles for United States multiple rocket launchers HIMARS in Ukraine's Odessa region. He furr stated that Russian armed forces have used  Kalibr cruise missiles to destroy depot. It is to mention that Ukraine has been using US-me HIMARS in its fight against Russia.

According to a Tass report, Konashenkov said, “High-precision sea-based long-range Kalibr missiles near village of Mayorskoye in Odessa Region destroyed an ammunition depot with missiles for American HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems and Western-me anti-aircraft systems". 

Kalibr missiles destroyed Ukraine's ammunition depot

Novator design bureau in Yekaterinburg developed and manufactured Kalibr, a Russian cruise missile (SS-N-27 Sizzler, according to NATO classification). Kalibr-NK (ship-based) and Kalibr-PL (submarine-based) variants of se missiles are presently in service by Russian Armed Forces, Tass reported.  

In 2012, system was commissioned by Russian Navy. As per Tass report, first time missiles were employed was in Syrian military campaign. missile was employed 13 times, with a total of nearly 99 missiles fired at terrorist sites, Russian Defense Ministry stated.. 

However, re is uncertainty over Kalibr's precise qualities. Various sources have indicated that se missiles have a maximum warhe weight of 500 kg and a maximum range of 375 km against sea targets and up to 2,600 km against land targets. 

Russia targetted Ukraine with Kinzhal missile weapon three times

On Sunday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that Russia has struck extremely significant targets in Ukraine three times with its hypersonic Kinzhal missile weapon. Shoigu told state brocaster Rossiya 1, "It was used by us three times during special military operation (in Ukraine), and three times showed its brilliant characteristics". 

missile system, according to Russia, has a Mach 10 speed, a range of 2,000 kilometres, and ability to manoeuvre while in flight to get through rar and air defence systems, Associated Press reported. 

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Ministry has begun producing Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles in large quantities, which is expected to be documented by end of 2022. In a brocast interview with Rossiya-1 channel on sidelines of Army-2022 forum on Saturday, Defence Minister Shoigu stated, "We are starting serial production of Tsirkon missile". He also noted that y have alrey placed missile into service and "it will be documented as early as this year, according to a TASS report. He underlined that manufacture of cutting-edge weapons like Sarmat missiles was part of contracts agreed upon at Army-2022 meeting. 

(Image: AP)