Would it be better or worse if they stuck to an euphemistic verb like "down", as if it was a given that the occupant walked away? I don't know the answer.

This is a discussion of a military matter, which is all about life and death struggle in many levels.

War is about killing. It's an ugly fact but fact nevertheless. It seems like the world kill offends you, but it is an accurate description of the severity of what's going on.