BM-21 Grad
SovietBM-21 "Hail" Multiple Launch Rocket System
The BM-21 Grad ("Hail") is a Soviet-designed 122mm multiple launch rocket system that has been in service since 1963. Russia and Ukraine both operate Grad systems inherited from Soviet stockpiles. It fires 40 unguided rockets to a range of 20 km, covering a large area with fragmentation rockets. Both sides have used Grad extensively in the war — against each other and tragically against civilian areas.
Primary Role
Area saturation, suppression of enemy forces in the open, counter-battery
First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-02-24
Specifications
| Range (9M22U) | 20 km |
| Range (9M521) | 40 km (extended) |
| Rockets per salvo | 40 × 122 mm |
| Salvo duration | 20 seconds |
| Reload time | ~7–10 minutes |
| Weight | 13,700 kg (on Ural truck) |
✓ Strengths
- •Simple, robust, and extremely widespread — easy to maintain
- •Can saturate large target areas in seconds
- •Very low cost per strike
- •Wide variety of available rocket types
⚠ Limitations
- •Completely unguided — low accuracy
- •Indiscriminate area effect is controversial under international law
- •Short range (20 km) compared to modern MLRS
Notable Use
Grad rockets have been used by both sides in the war. Russia's indiscriminate use of Grad against Ukrainian cities — including Kharkiv in 2022 — has been documented as a war crime by multiple international organizations investigating civilian targeting.
Ukraine War Context
Both Russia and Ukraine inherited large Grad stockpiles from the Soviet Union. They remain common at every level of both armies despite their inaccuracy. Russia has used Grad extensively for area bombardment of Ukrainian-held towns in Donbas.