US HIMARS rockets blow up school in Donbass

Johnny Miller
Press TV, Rubezhnoye

The streets of Rubezhnoye in northern Donbass resemble an apocalypse. There was a major battle here between Russian and Ukrainian forces. It’s now under Russian control. And the threat of incoming artillery now comes from the Ukrainian side.

School number 10. Locals say it was American HIMARS rockets that are responsible for these scenes. A decision will have to be made on whether to tear down the school or to attempt to repair the damage.

While I have reported from many schools in Donbass that have been directly targeted by Ukraine, it’s not clear whether this was hit as it was associated with the recent referendum on joining Russia.

Across the playground, a block of flats. One of the rockets landed outside. This old woman lives here. She calls the Ukrainians who did this, “cursed Fascists.” Then bursts into tears.

She was wounded in the blast and only recently returned from hospital. Inside, her kitchen has been blown out.

Natalia’s windows have been blown out. It’s difficult to believe that she will survive the coming winter. But she doesn’t want to leave. She tells me she weeps to the pictures of her children, telling them how she lives now.

The American HIMARS rocket system is amongst the most advanced pieces of military hardware in the world. Each rocket costs $150 000 US dollars. In Rubezhnoye, they are being used to blow up schools and terrorize old women.

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