Ukrainian soldier (File image)
Photo : AP
Kyiv: Ukraine on Friday received the first delivery of M270 rocket systems. The development was confirmed by Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. However, Reznikov did not mention the name of the country that provided this sophisticated rocket-launcher system to Kyiv.
Notably, last month, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that Britain would send M270 launchers, which can strike targets up to 80km away with precision-guided rockets. These rockets will strengthen the capability of Ukrainian forces. The UK had also promised to supply M31A1 munitions to the war-torn country.
“They will be good company for HIMARS on the battlefield,” the Ukrainian Defence minister said as quoted by AFP. Ukrainian forces recently deployed the US precision rocket systems in the conflict.
High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a multiple launch rocket system or MLRS. It is a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles. The first batch of Himars systems was delivered to Ukraine last month. With the help of long-range artillery from the US and other European countries, Ukrainian forces have hindered the movement of advancing Russian troops.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. After Russian forces failed to capture Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, they shifted their focus to the eastern part of Ukraine. The fighting has now intensified in the Donbas region comprising the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Last week, Russia claimed to have taken full control of Luhansk province. Russian troops are eying to capture the entire Donetsk province to consolidate its position in the Donbas region.
