Sun Nov 24 12:06:00 UTC 2024: ## Hundreds of Russian Troops Killed in Repeated Ukrainian HIMARS Strikes

**KYIV, November 22, 2024** – Ukrainian forces have inflicted heavy casualties on Russian troops through a series of precision strikes over the past nine months, according to multiple reports. Hundreds of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in attacks targeting training grounds and troop concentrations in occupied territories, primarily in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Oblasts.

The latest incident, reported by Forbes, involved a HIMARS rocket strike on Thursday that killed or critically injured at least five Russian soldiers who had disembarked from civilian vans in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The strike, launched from up to 92 kilometers away, highlights the vulnerability of Russian troops stationed in exposed locations within range of Ukrainian long-range weaponry. Despite repeated losses, Russian commanders continue to amass troops in these vulnerable areas.

This pattern mirrors previous incidents, including the infamous 22 strikes on Russian command posts near Chornobaivka, Kherson Oblast, over eight months. Analysts attribute these repeated failures to systemic problems within the Russian military, including deficiencies in professionalism, training, and communication, as noted in a 2023 US Army Military Review article.

The Ukrainian military has also stepped up attacks on Russian command structures within Russia itself. A recent raid on a command post in Kursk Oblast using British Storm Shadow missiles reportedly killed a Russian general and injured a North Korean counterpart. These actions aim to further weaken the already strained Russian command structure.

However, the situation could shift dramatically following the January inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Trump’s expressed intentions to withdraw US aid to Ukraine, potentially including vital HIMARS systems, and his willingness to allow Russia greater freedom of action in Europe, raise concerns about the future of the conflict. Such a policy change could significantly benefit the struggling Russian military.

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