Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak has identified three “components” Kyiv needs to deter Russia’s continued aggression: HIMARS, heavy artillery on the frontline, and armored personnel carriers.
His statement comes nearly five months after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
Through a Twitter post, the official said that the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is crucial for defending forces, allowing high-precision targeting of Russian bases and logistics.
Do we want a turning point in the war? 3 components… HIMARS for high-precision targeting rear bases, logistics. Heavy artillery on the frontline allows matching number parity. APC for "breakthrough fists"… More tools faster we'll clean our land of the Russians.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) July 9, 2022
Last month, the US sent HIMARS advanced multiple rocket systems to Kyiv. The weapon system has a maximum range of 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov said that the platform has proven to be a “game-changer” in the continuing conflict.
The weapon was used to great effect in a recent encounter with Russian troops in the northeastern town of Izyum.
Other Crucial Components
Apart from the HIMARS, Podolyak said that Ukraine needs heavy artillery on the frontline to destroy enemy trenches and break up infantry attacks.
In June, Ukraine said it had deployed the Panzerhaubitze 2000s (armored howitzer 2000) from Germany.
The delivery marks the latest supply of long-range, precision weapons Kyiv has called for since the beginning of the war.
The third component, according to the presidential advisor, is armored personnel carriers to be used as “breakthrough fists.”
Before the invasion was launched, the Ukrainian military took delivery of 44 locally-produced Kozak-2M1 armored vehicles for secure troop transport during military operations.
Australia also sent the first four of 14 M113AS4 Armored Personnel Carriers to Ukraine in response to a request for more vehicles to assist in the country’s resistance.
“If we receive heavy weapons fairly quickly, the war shouldn’t take more than another three or six months, and if all conditions are met, we hope to take back our territories,” Podolyak said in June. “If it turns out this way, Russia will no longer be in a position to threaten Europe and be disruptive.”
