Russia claims "We destroyed US-made weapons"... US provides additional support worth 353 billion KRW including HIMARS to Ukraine

Additional $270 Million Support Including 4 HIMARS Units
Russia Claims "4 HIMARS Units Eliminated"... Authenticity Unconfirmed

The United States' High Mobility Artillery Rocket System HIMARS. Photo by AFP, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The United States announced that it will provide an additional $270 million (approximately 353 billion KRW) worth of weapons to Ukraine.

On the 22nd (local time), according to AFP, John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, stated in a phone briefing, "Russia is killing innocent civilians with rocket attacks," and added, "President Joe Biden's clear position is that the U.S. will help the Ukrainian government as long as necessary."

On the same day, the Department of Defense also announced it would support Ukraine with four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), up to 580 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones, four command vehicles, and 36,000 rounds of 150mm artillery shells.

Among the additional weapons, HIMARS is a military system equipped with a container that can carry six rockets, combining a typical Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) with an armored truck. While the MLRS itself is high-performance, the added high mobility makes it especially welcome for Ukraine. It is evaluated to have superior performance compared to Russian weapons, with a range of up to 70 km.

The U.S. has provided a total of 12 HIMARS units to Ukraine so far and will add four more. Including this support, the Biden administration's security assistance amounts to approximately $8.2 billion (about 10.742 trillion KRW).

Meanwhile, Russia previously claimed to have destroyed four HIMARS launchers and one transport and loading vehicle provided by the U.S. to Ukraine.

Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, explained the situation of the special military operation in Ukraine, stating, "The enemy (Ukrainian forces) is suffering significant losses in weapons provided by Western countries."

Spokesperson Konashenkov added, "Two launchers were eliminated in the Malotaranivka area of Donetsk Oblast, another launcher and a transport and loading vehicle were destroyed in Krasnoarmiysk, and the last launcher was destroyed on the eastern outskirts of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast."

However, foreign media have noted that "this is only Russia's claim" and that the authenticity cannot be verified.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.