Ukraine is getting several interesting weapons from the US

After months of waiting a very desperate Ukraine is undoubtedly thrilled to be finally receiving some help from the United States.

On May 10th, the United States revealed that it had put together a $400 million security assistance for Ukraine, and included in the package were several important weapons. 

This fifty-seventh tranche of equipment not only included more air defense supplies and aid in the form of additional munitions for several systems but also another fun surprise. 

The Biden administration is shipping the Ukrainians more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to aid the embattled nation in its struggle against invading Russian forces. 

More ammunition will also be sent to resupply the Ukrainians but the addition of several more rocket artillery systems that have come to be abbreviated as Himars is important. 

American-made Himars first joined the fight against Russia in Ukraine all the way back in the summer of 2022 and proved to be pivotal according to a report from Newsweek. 

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov revealed to the Wall Street Journal during a July 2022 interview that Ukraine's U.S. Himars had been a “game changer.”

The advanced rocket artillery systems can fire a salvo of six rockets that have a range of up to 50 miles or roughly 80 kilometers and are used against critical Russian targets. 

Russian troop concentrations, command posts, and supply hubs in Ukraine have mostly been put within reach of the deadly American Himars and changed the war in Ukraine. 

​​Himars “became a symbol of Ukrainian military potency and a prime target for Russian forces” according to Newsweek’s Rachael Dobkin. But How many are left is unknown. 

The United States has sent 39 Himars to Ukraine according to the State Department's running tally of aid to Kyiv, but we do know at least some Himars have been destroyed. 

Dutch open-source intelligence Oryx has been visually confirming Russia and Ukraine's losses since the war began and noted that as of May 14th, three Himars have been lost. 

Ukraine is set to receive over 40 more Himars from the United States in its latest round of security assistance, which could go a long way in halting further Russian advances. 

Moscow recently launched a new offensive against Ukraine in Kharkiv and Volodymyr Zelensky noted in his May 12th evening address the situation was “extremely difficult.”

"The city is under constant Russian fire, and our military is carrying out counterattacks, helping local residents," Zelensky said about the settlement of Vovchansk in Kharkiv. 

However, Zelensky reported on May 13th that the situation was improving and thanked all the troops for following orders, holding their positions, and stabilizing the situation.

The new U.S. security aid package also includes more artillery rounds as well as more Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and a host of other equipment and supplies that could aid in Ukraine’s defense.