Skyfall: The Dramatic Takedown of Russia’s Tor by Ukraine’s HIMARS and PD-2 Duo

Christian Baghai
3 min readMay 10, 2024

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Hey there, blog aficionados! Let’s dive into a tale of modern warfare, where David meets Goliath in the skies over Ukraine. 🚀

The Underdog’s Triumph In a stunning display of tactical prowess, Ukrainian forces have scored a significant victory by taking out a Russian Tor missile system. This isn’t just any old shoot-down; it’s a strategic chess move in the high-stakes game of air defense.

The Mighty Tor The Tor, known to its friends as the SA-15 “Gauntlet,” is Russia’s short-range missile system designed to swat anything out of the sky that dares to come close. It’s like the bouncer of Russia’s air defense club, deciding who gets in and who gets bounced out. With a radar that can spot aircraft from 27 km away and missiles that launch vertically like fireworks on New Year’s, the Tor is a formidable opponent.

HIMARS: The Game Changer Enter the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the U.S.’s gift to Ukraine that’s been shaking up the battlefield. This bad boy can zip across 300 miles on a single tank of gas and spit out rockets faster than you can say “guided missile.” It’s the ultimate hit-and-run weapon, and with its latest software upgrades, it’s got the precision of a sniper.

The Drone Connection But what’s a rocket launcher without good intel? That’s where the PD-2 drone comes into play. Funded by the generous donations of the Come Back Alive Foundation, this UAV is the eyes in the sky for Ukraine. It’s not just a peeping Tom; it can carry a punch with warheads up to 3 kg, making it a dual-threat on the battlefield.

The Epic Takedown So here’s how it went down: the HIMARS, with its trusty sidekick the PD-2, found the Tor’s hiding spot. With the precision of a master archer, HIMARS let loose a salvo of GMLRS rockets. The Tor, caught off guard and probably sipping a cup of tea, didn’t stand a chance. Kaboom! The sky’s clear for another day, thanks to this dynamic duo.

The Bigger Picture This isn’t just about one missile system biting the dust. It’s a glimpse into the future of warfare, where drones and precision strikes reign supreme. The Tor was a key player in Russia’s defense, but with the endurance of its crew being tested to the limits, it’s clear that even the mightiest can fall.

The Takeaway What’s the moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of good intel and a rocket launcher that can reload faster than you can reload this page. Ukraine’s use of HIMARS, coupled with the eagle-eyed PD-2, is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of its forces. As for the Tor, well, it’s back to the drawing board.

Stay tuned for more updates from the front lines, where technology and tenacity collide in the quest for victory. Over and out! ✌️

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Christian Baghai
Christian Baghai

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