A Ukrainian solider shows the rockets on a HIMARS vehicle between some trees
A Ukrainian unit commander shows the rockets on a HIMARS vehicle in eastern Ukraine.Anastasia Vlasova for The Washington Post via Getty Images
  • The US sent long-range rocket systems to help fight the Russians.

  • The Ukrainian government says it has killed a Russian general and destroyed Russian stores.

  • The psychological boost for the Ukrainian troops could be the biggest benefit.

The US donated long-range rockets that were used by the Ukrainian army to kill a Russian general and destroy 50 Russian depots.

The HIMARS is a significant piece of psychological warfare.

Ukrainians can shoot from a safe distance if they want, but they have to move away before a fight ensues.

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System HIMARS Sweden Gotland
A HIMARS in Sweden in October 2021.US Army/Sgt. Patrik Orcutt

The psychological effects of the weapon could be its biggest boost, according to experts.

Marina Miron is a research fellow at the King's College London Center for Military Ethics.

She said that he gave Ukrainians hope when they saw it.

She said that it could have a "psychological impact that it could be demoralizing at the very beginning for Russian soldiers."

Boosting Ukraine

The support from the West was feared to fall by the Ukrainians.

It shows the dedication of Western countries to support Ukraine even after months of fighting, and it also sends a message to the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation.

She said that the US and Ukraine were not trying to gain an advantage by surprising Russia.

She pointed out that Ukrainian leaders and media were sharing victories related to HIMARS, and soldiers were seeing them because they have internet.

—Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) July 4, 2022

She said that soldiers have to be motivated to stay out there because no matter how much they love their country, the stress of being shelling can change people's opinions.

She said that the boost is more important than the tactical benefits of any single weapon.

She said that it would be difficult for soldiers who'd spent the last five months in a brutal fight to return to their barracks.

William Alberque is the director of strategy, technology, and arms control at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. It's a big sign.

Ukrainian officials, soldiers, and civilians were sharing videos with pride.

Graphics and images of the weapons have been shared.

He said that footage of it in action has an effect on the Ukrainian population.

HIMARS has limits

Experts and officials say that the weapon is not a wonder weapon.

The US has only agreed to 16.

It was said that Russia could eventually adapt to the weapon, which would make it less useful for Ukraine.

A US HIMARS fired in southeastern Morocco on June 9, 2021.FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

Alberque said that poor Russian tactics make a Russian response more difficult.

The weapon is vulnerable due to the need for missiles and training for soldiers.

"HIMARS isn't a silver bullet," said a senior US defense official. From the beginning, we didn't think it was a silver bullet.

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