Russian air defense systems have intercepted 17 HIMARS rockets fired at them by the Ukrainians, its defense ministry has claimed.
"17 shells of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system were intercepted in the areas of the cities of Kherson, Novaya Kakhovka, Kherson region and Melitopol, Zaporozhye region," spokesman for the ministry, Igor Konashenkov, said at a briefing on Tuesday.
Konashenkov added that Russian high-precision sea-based weapons struck a large ammunition depot in a village near Uman, Cherkasy region. "More than 300 rockets for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, as well as a large amount of ammunition for American M777 howitzers, were destroyed," he said.
The Russians also claim that they shot down 19 HIMARS rockets in Kharkiv, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions a day earlier.