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Ukraine asked for additional heavy weapons against Russia, in particular long-range rocket systems. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, responded to the request.
Ukraine in particular asks for weapons such as modern multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). This kind of weapon has a very long range so it is considered effective in resisting Russian attacks.
"We are not going to send to Ukraine a rocket system that can fire at Russia," Biden said at the White House.
Maybe Biden doesn't want the conflict to escalate further. However, he did not specifically mention what kind of weapons would not be sent to Ukraine, so there was still an opportunity for the MLRS to be given.
The US government is preparing a new weapons package for Ukraine. Military sources said the MLRS could be included in the package, but not with a very far fire capability.
The US is noted to have two variants of this MLRS. The first is the M270 which was first produced in 1983. The rockets it fires can hit targets between 32 and 40 kilometers away. Even more sophisticated variants can reach about 160 kilometers.
The second variant is the M142 HIMARS. Developed in the 1990s, standard rockets of this system can fire up to 300 kilometers. There are special models that are effective up to 498 kilometers.
"Ukraine is ready to strike back. To do this, we need the MLRS from NATO. Immediately," the request from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reads.
"Russia is currently using artillery strongly. To fight it, to save the lives of our soldiers and civilians, we need MLRS rockets," said Oleksandr Merezkho of the Ukrainian parliament.