Ukraine Starts Using US HIMARS And Frightens Russia

JAKARTA - The US-made HIMARS advanced rocket system used by Ukrainian troops has alarmed Russia. The sophistication of HIMARS is capable of destroying the Russian military position.

Pro-Kremlin figures have expressed concern - which is rare - with the presence of HIMARS. Ukraine made it possible to carry out a series of successful strikes against Russian targets far behind the front lines.

The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which the United States began sending to Ukraine last month, appears to be most effective in undermining Russian military positions.

Russia has suffered "huge losses in both personnel and equipment" in less than a week, according to Igor Girkin, a former commander of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.

“Russia's air defense systems… were found to be ineffective against a massive attack by HIMARS missiles,” wrote Girkin, who also goes by the alias Strelkov, on messaging app Telegram.

HIMARS can hit targets up to 70 kilometers away, meaning Ukrainian forces can deploy high-tech light rocket launchers beyond the reach of most Russian artillery pieces.

Reports from authorities in separatist-occupied Ukraine and Russia also show attacks are becoming more frequent and more deadly.

Officials in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said Monday that at least three people were killed and dozens injured in the village of Stepano-Krinka following the HIMARS attack in Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces also used HIMARS to attack the town of Alchevsk and the village of Irmino over the weekend, according to separatist authorities.