--- title: "Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Launches Rocket Attack On Kherson" description: "At least 8 civilians were killed and nearly 60 more injured in a Russian rocket attack in Kherson’s city center on Christmas Eve." date: "2022-12-24" modified: "2022-12-24" authors: - name: "Stetson Payne" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne" url: "https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-russian-grad-rocket-attack-strikes-kherson" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Artillery" - "Europe" - "Land" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Ukraine" tags: - "Ukraine" --- # Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Launches Rocket Attack On Kherson ![Ukraine Grad Rocket attack]() At least 8 civilians were killed and nearly 60 more injured in a Russian rocket attack in Kherson’s city center on Christmas Eve. Graphic video from the scene showed victims where they died amid vehicles and storefronts shredded by shrapnel and debris. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted photos from the attack and its aftermath to his Telegram channel. The Ukrainian National Police have reportedly begun an investigation into the strike. https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive/status/1606600410185302016 https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive/status/1606627872944582657 https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive/status/1606629019096686592 https://twitter.com/suspilne\_news/status/1606626192555233280 The attack reportedly used [BM-21 'Grad']() rockets, the infernally inaccurate system descended from the Soviet [Katyusha]() rockets used to saturate broad areas with artillery fire. With no precision to speak of, their only purposes in a city are widespread destruction and terror. https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1606620467447484416 This isn’t the first attack in recent days either, with two people reportedly killed in a similar strike on December 23, as well. While Ukrainian troops [retook the strategic city]() in early November, it [remains]() well within the range of Russian artillery from across the Dnieper River. We previously wrote about Russian artillery using the occupied [Zaporizhzia]() Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as a fire base to strike targets on the opposite bank further upriver, which you can read about [here](). https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1606254235502333952 Before we go into the latest news from Ukraine this Christmas Eve, *The War Zone* readers can get caught up on our previous rolling coverage [here](). ## The Latest Some camouflage netting may well have saved a Ukrainian T-72 from a Russian loitering munition near the frontline. Footage shows the remains of a Russian [Lancet]() loitering munition snared in the covering above a Ukrainian tank. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1606460712796229632 The Lancet has proven a real threat to Ukrainian troops, especially to those spending too much time in the open or in one location along or near the front lines. We also have what appears to be a destroyed Ukrainian [AHS Krab 155mm]() self-propelled howitzer. These Polish [NATO-caliber]() guns have been a preferred artillery system of Ukrainian crews since their arrival earlier this year, but this one has definitely seen better days. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1606636565727510530 The low-altitude [spray and pray]() rocket attack remains in use, as seen with this [Ukrainian Mi-24]() Hind lobbing S-8 rockets toward a Russian position. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1606405386646560784 [Ukrainian drones]() remain active over the battle raging for [Bakhmut](), with new video showing one spotting for Ukrainian artillery gunners shelling a Russian position. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1606517982192193537 Ukraine now estimates Russia has used 540 of some 1,700 [kamikaze drones]() delivered by Iran. Since their appearance in large-scale attacks against Ukrainian targets [in September](), Kyiv has made [air defenses]() against these drones and Russian cruise missiles a top priority. https://twitter.com/samramani2/status/1606673582142230530?s=46&t=5sA8bHfbYM5ClC93dFytzA Back in Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces are putting a Mk 19 [grenade launcher]() through its paces as one heck of an indirect fire weapon. A full box of 40mm grenades raining on your foxhole is certainly less than ideal under any circumstances. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1606594762760343552 There’s an incredible thread documenting the proliferation of Western electronics, particularly microchips, in Russian weapon systems. Examination of a Russian [Su-24M Fencer]() downed near Bakhmut revealed microchips from a number of U.S. companies. https://twitter.com/mxpoliakov/status/1606650142379196416 We wrote about the number of American-made chips in Russian weapons as Ukrainian troops got their hands on more and more gear earlier in the war, which you can read about [here](). A similar [reality is true for Iran's drones](), as well. The Russian Air Force is taking [further precautions]() at its bases in the weeks after Ukrainian drones struck [Engels-2 and Dyagilevo]() airfields in stunning, [long-range attacks](). Evergreen Intel ([@vcdgf555]()) and ThreeCalories ([@ThreeCalories]()) found dividers installed between the most active aircraft at the Akhtubinsk Flight Test Centre. https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1606460599344726018 Akhtubinsk, just down the river from Volgograd and not far from the border with Kazakhstan, has been associated with the Russian [Su-57 Felon]() fifth-generation fighter program and houses numerous [aircraft types]() for research and development. The dividers are no doubt an attempt to contain any damage to one aircraft in an attack, lest fire and shrapnel spread as happened at [Saki Air Base]() in Crimea [this summer](). On a final and lighter note, the Christmas spirit still looks strong even in war. Video showed a truck blasting Christmas music through a darkened Kyiv on Christmas Eve, while a Ukrainian Air Force [MiG-29]() pilot rocks a Santa Claus hat. https://twitter.com/nolanwpeterson/status/1606309285931012096 https://twitter.com/KpsZSU/status/1606682825519947776 That's it for now. We will update this story when there is anything major to add. *Contact the author: [stetson.payne@thewarzone.com]()* ### Author social links