More U.S. HIMARS and new precision munitions sent to Ukraine

The United States is sending a new $400 million military aid package to Ukraine that includes another batch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, along with new munitions to allow for "more precise targeting" of invading Russian forces, according to a senior defense official.

The official said the new package will include four HIMARS being transferred from U.S. stocks, while eight systems have already been delivered to Ukraine.

The official declined to comment on whether the new precision munitions being offered to Ukraine are M982 Excalibur 155 mm rounds, which are known for their extended range and GPS guidance. Another possible candidate for the munition being sent is the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit.

The official said the new munition being offered is a “capability the United States has” and “has greater precision” than the 155mm artillery round the United States has previously provided.

“I can't get into the specifics here,” the official said. “These are precise. We expect the Ukrainians to use them to great effect.”

The official also denied Russian claims that it had destroyed Ukrainian HIMARS units.

“Russia has not destroyed any HIMARS,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the official said the United States believes Ukraine has significantly slowed Russia’s military advance in the east, despite Russian gains.

“We don't see this at all as Russia winning this battle,” the official said. “They've been very much thwarted . . . but the fighting is hard. . . .We're seeing that in the slowness of the Russian advance.”