After missiles and missile launchers, then tanks and artillery, the time has come for multiple rocket launchers. Faced with the advance of Russian forces and the shelling of cities like Kharkiv, Ukraine needs new weapons, Boris Johnson acknowledged on Friday May 27. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the British Prime Minister pleaded for Westerners to deliver MLRS (M-270MLRSfor Multiple Launch Rocket System“multiple rocket launcher”).
According to him, these weapons would allow Ukraine to “defend against Russian artillery”, especially since the forces of Moscow “continue to gain ground” in the Donbass region, making “slow progress but (…) palpable”.
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For their part, the Ukrainian authorities continue to claim this type of armament : “Some partners avoid giving the necessary weapons for fear of escalation. Escalation ? Really ? Russia is already using the heaviest non-nuclear weapons, burning people alive. Maybe it’s time (…) to give us MLRS? », tweeted, Friday, Mykhaïlo Podoliakadviser to the Ukrainian presidency, accompanying his speech with images of the use by the Russians of thermobaric weapons, which combine thermal, shock wave and reverse blast effects.
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Thursday, General Oleksi HromovDeputy Chief of the Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, confirmed that the situation was complicated for the Ukrainian forces, bombarded by aviation and pounded by the Russian army.
In addition to the M-270 MLRS, Ukraine is calling for Himars (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systemtruck-mounted multiple rocket launcher), firing the same ammunition.
With a caliber of 277 millimeters, the rockets fired by the M-270 MLRS and Himars are more powerful than traditional artillery and have already been used in the two Gulf Wars, in 1990-1991 and in 2003.
After the Javelin missile launchers and the Stinger missiles, the administration of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, has already resolved to deliver M-777 howitzers, i.e. light 155 mm guns with a range of 21 to 40 kilometers, depending on the type of ammunition. During his last briefing, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the United States were studying the request from the Ukrainian authorities regarding the MLRS. According to CNN, an announcement could take place next week. Military officials told the outlet that training Ukrainian gunners in either rocket launcher system would take about two weeks.
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