DAccording to information from the US government, Ukraine has already hit more than 100 important Russian military targets with the help of Western weapon systems. This is reported by the US media, citing senior officials from the Ministry of Defense. Among the targets attacked were command posts, ammunition depots, air defense installations, radar and communications hubs, and long-range artillery positions. Russia is reportedly continuing to fire thousands of artillery shells a day. But the government in Moscow “cannot go on like this forever”, the Washington Post quoted a US official as saying. Russia has now deployed 85 percent of its army to the war in Ukraine, leaving other parts of Russia without armed forces.
In order to continue to support Ukraine militarily, the US government says it is considering a possible delivery of American fighter jets. National Security Council communications director John Kirby stressed Friday that “these are exploratory considerations that cannot be implemented in the near future.” The Pentagon’s preliminary tests are not about machines from the ex-Soviet Union, but about those of American design.
Further arms deliveries announced
Kirby, on a phone call with reporters, said operating modern fighter jets is “a difficult proposition.” Factors such as crew training, maintenance or the delivery of spare parts also have to be taken into account – “an entire supply chain” is necessary to keep an aircraft in the air. He stressed that the US would support Ukraine in the fight against the invading Russian forces for as long as necessary.
Kirby announced on Friday more US arms sales to Ukraine worth around $270 million. According to him, this includes four Himars multiple rocket launchers, the delivery of which the US government had already announced. Kirby said the new package includes missiles for the Himars systems, 36,000 artillery shells, vehicles and up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, among other things. Since US President Joe Biden took office a year and a half ago, the US government has pledged $8.2 billion worth of weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine.
The US is the main arms supplier to Ukraine. So far, according to US military information, they have already delivered twelve Himars systems in addition to numerous other weapon systems. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began about five months ago.
A senior US official has denied claims that Russia destroyed four Ukraine-owned Himars systems. After consultation with the Ukrainians, this is not true. “All of the Himars continue to be a real thorn in the Russian side.”
A senior Pentagon official said the Ukrainians were using the Himars to fire very precisely at Russian positions. “And we see that Ukrainians have strong morals.” Russia, on the other hand, shoots at targets indiscriminately, resulting in civilian casualties. “They pay a high price for every inch of territory they try to take or hold. And we see very low morale in the Russian armed forces.”
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