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The U.S. is set to deliver four more of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, aka HIMARS to Ukraine. They are included along with ammunition and troop equipment.

It has been two months since the last delivery of the effective war weapons. And this is a total of 20 HIMARS sent to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February.

The weapon systems are part of a new $625 million aid package slated for the new fiscal year in the U.S. which began October 1st. The official announcement is scheduled to take place Tuesday.

HIMARS to Ukraine vital to military

The advanced rocket systems have been credited with assisting Ukraine’s successful counter-insurgency against the Russians. And allowing the military to turn the war in its favor.

HIMARS is able to strike with pinpoint accuracy from relatively long distances. And Ukraine has been hitting bridges and Russian supply convoys to shut them down.

HIMARS were responsible for multiple hits on the main bridge across the Dnieper. And on a dam that provided another route into the Kherson region. They have also destroyed pontoon bridges that Russia was using to move supplies.

This has effectively enabled Ukrainian forces to stop fuel, food, and munitions from reaching Russia-occupied regions.

The U.S. also has provided shadow funding through the “Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.” This will allow at least 18 additional HIMARS to be purchased from the US through long-term contracts. 

All USAI funds are part of a joint effort of U.S. and Western allies. And includes funds for Ukraine’s forces to be trained and equipped.

The USAI project is slated for a multi-year fulfillment.

Counter-offensive continues

By all accounts, the Ukraine counter offensive has been a success. It is being termed Russia’s worst military defeat since the February invasion.

Ukraine’s battlefield successes in Kherson and the Donetsk regions are important. These are two areas Russia says it has annexed.

The last several weeks of Ukrainian attacks forced Russia into a “defensive crouch.” And Russia is having large-scale problems resupplying its frontline troops.

According to a Reuters report, Russia has only been able to replenish very few soldiers since Ukraine ran Moscow’s occupying force in Izyum and 30 other towns and villages out of the Kharkiv region.

Putin announced in late September a partial military mobilization of 300,000 of the country’s reservists. So far, the massive Russian effort has not made its way into Ukraine.

With strategic use of the HIMARS, Ukraine is attempting to gain control of areas being annexed by Russia before the reinforcements appear on the battlefield.