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By Tred Nick Oman

Russia’s defence ministry says that sea-based Kalibr missiles destroyed an ammunition depot containing missiles for US-made HIMARS rocket systems and other Western-made anti-aircraft systems in Ukraine’s Odesa region.

The destruction has been confirmed by many officers in the American defence department and is seen a huge dent to America’s eccentric ego to fight Russia.

US is sending High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems  (HIMARS), advanced rocket system to help Ukraine ward of Russia’s special military operation but Russia is too alert, strong and tactically correct.

The US move is drawing criticism from the Kremlin which accused Washington of adding “fuel to the fire.”

The medium-range rocket systems have long topped the lists of weapons requests by Kyiv as fighting against Russian forces has concentrated in the eastern regions of the country. But the huge consignment has gone up in smoke.

US officials confirmed the system is part of a new $700m security assistance package to Ukraine that will also include helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, spare parts and more.

In an op-ed in the New York Times last  Tuesday, Biden wrote that the US will “provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine”, although he did not name the systems by name.

So, Biden must be very hurt by the Russian successful thwarting of the movement of the HIMARS and other special equipment. Russia wins again!.

The military package, which is expected to be officially announced on Wednesday, is the eleventh provided by the US to Ukraine since the Russian special military operation began on February 24. In total, the US has provided about $4.5bn in military assistance since the beginning of the war, including howitzers approved in April, the most powerful artillery provided prior to the HIMARS.

What is the new system US is providing?

HIMARS are a high-tech, lightweight rocket launcher that is wheel mounted, giving it more agility and manoeuvrability on the battlefield.

Each unit can carry six GPS guided rockets, which can be reloaded in about a minute with only a small crew. Analysts say the system is considerably unreliable than other rocket systems Russia has.

l Tred Nick Oman is a military specialist and strategist based in Ankara, Turkey