On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, but in early April, Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv after Russia abandoned its push for the capital.

Following its withdrawal from Ukraine’s north, Russia has refocused its efforts on gaining control of the country’s east and south.

And as fighting continues to rage– The 155 mm M777 towed howitzers are Ready for war against Russia, the Ukrainian military is fighting back, forcing Russian troops to withdraw in several locations.

The M777 howitzer an American-made, shoots farther, moves faster and is hidden more easily which will make a critical difference in its war with Russia.

A senior Defense Department official said today at a Pentagon press briefing that the US-supplied 155 mm M777 towed howitzers, as well as other types supplied by allies and partners to Ukraine, are having a significant impact on the battlefield.

“You’re already seeing the Ukrainians being willing to go on the counteroffensive in the Donbas [region of Ukraine]. They are taking back some towns that the Russians have taken in the past,” the official said.

After committing 90 M777 155mm howitzers and hundreds of thousands of 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine, the US military has become the single largest contributor of artillery guns. The weapon systems have improved Ukraine’s long-range firepower, allowing Ukrainian commanders to strike targets far behind enemy lines.

For example when Ukrainian forces are pushing Russian forces to the east and north of Kharkiv, Ukraine, the official said.

The Ukrainian military has been using its newly acquired artillery pieces very effectively.

Last week, when the Russian military attempted to ford the Severodonetsk River several times, the Ukrainian military responded with barrage after barrage of devastating artillery, destroying approximately 80 tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles.

The senior U.S. defense official added, “We do believe that the howitzers … are having an impact, particularly in Kharkiv. Now is that the only reason? I don’t think we would go that far to say that, but we do believe that the systems they’re getting — not just the U.S. systems but the systems from other countries — are absolutely helping them regain some momentum and to take back some territory.”

Sources:  Dailywire, Nationalinterest, Zawya