Ukrainian missile tears through dam, Kiev attacks Russian infrastructure

A dam in Belgorod, Russia, has been hit by a US-made GMLRS guided missile for the first time, marking a new escalation in the conflict.

In the early morning of October 25, three US-made GMLRS guided missiles were launched by Ukraine from the HIMARS system, targeting the Belgorod dam near the village of Grafovka, less than 15 km from the border. The attack took place at night, lasted less than a minute but shocked Russia because the target was a strategic civilian structure.

According to Vyacheslav, the governor of the Gladkov region, the shells hit the water control area and part of the dam's metal structure. Some technical buildings were severely damaged, but the main dam remained standing. He warned that if it was hit again, the entire dam could collapse, causing widespread flooding.

The weapon used is the HIMARS system developed by Lockheed Martin. With its rapid launch, rapid withdrawal and high accuracy, HIMARS allows Ukraine to attack strategic targets without having to maintain position for long. Each launcher carries six missiles, which can be fired in just a few minutes.

Moreover, the heart of HIMARS is the GMLRS projectile - a GPS-guided missile with an inertial guidance system, with a range of about 90 km and an error of only a few meters. The warhead weighs 90 kg, enough to penetrate medium and small-sized fortified structures. With just three shots, Ukraine caused serious damage to the Belgorod Dam, demonstrating the power of this weapon.

GMLRS is part of US aid packages from 2022. Although Washington has said Kiev cannot use US weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, the border has seen many similar launches. The fact that a Russian dam was hit by a US missile this time will certainly spark a new diplomatic controversy.

Analysts say Ukraine’s goal is not to completely destroy the dam, but to create localized flooding that would cut off Russian roads and logistics near Kharkiv. Water from the reservoir could disrupt the transport of military supplies and turn low-lying areas into mud flats, making it difficult for motor vehicles.

In addition to the tactical objective, the attack also had a psychological significance. The fact that a structure deep inside Russian territory was attacked showed that Moscow’s defense system was no longer completely secure. The message Kiev sent was clear: no area was truly “off limits”.

Immediately after the incident, Russia deployed additional Pantsir-S1 air defense systems around the dam and sent engineers to reinforce it. Hydraulic sensors were installed to monitor water levels. However, observers said that intercepting GMLRS is very difficult due to the missile's high speed and low trajectory.

Some Western experts see this as a test to assess Russia's reaction to the use of US weapons on Russian soil. If Moscow does not take strong action to retaliate, Ukraine could expand the scope of the attack to fuel depots or railway bridges - important links in the logistics chain.

From a strategic perspective, the strike was a demonstration of “precision warfare” – where a few missiles can replace hundreds of conventional artillery shells. With satellite positioning and extremely short preparation times, GMLRS allows Ukraine to maintain deterrence without air superiority.

Behind the military advantage, however, lies a clear humanitarian risk. Aid agencies have prepared to evacuate about 1,000 low-lying residents. Russia has warned of “serious consequences” if Ukraine continues to attack civilian infrastructure, while international law enforcement officials have stressed that hitting the dam could violate the Geneva Conventions.

The attack on the Belgorod Dam shows that the conflict is entering a new phase – one where energy and water infrastructure are becoming the battleground. As precision missiles like the GMLRS continue to be used, the line between deterrence and infrastructure destruction is increasingly blurred. Each strike now targets not just the military, but the very foundations of the region’s survival.

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