Ukraine has deployed new U.S. howitzers at front lines – embassy

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine has deployed many of its new U.S. M-777 howitzers at the front lines and Washington has delivered all but one of the 90 artillery pieces they were due to send, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv said on Sunday.

The M-777 howitzer consignment is part of a huge outlay of weapons from Washington to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion, which began on Feb. 24. The M-777 is seen as particularly significant because of its long range and accuracy.

The U.S. embassy reposted a Ukrainian military video of Kyiv’s soldiers training to use the weapons.

“M-777 Howitzers in action. Part of the United States’ most recent $800 million care package for the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” it tweeted.

“All but one of the 90 Howitzers sent by the United States are now in Ukraine, many now deployed on the front lines,” it said.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Natalia Zinets; Editing by Gareth Jones)