Still Using Soviet-era Rocket Launchers, Ukrainian Soldiers Expect HIMARS Or Viper For Counterattacks

JAKARTA - Ukrainian soldiers say they need more weapons support from the West to accelerate retaliatory attacks on Russia, despite progress on the battlefield in recent days.

Kyiv said in a recent battle it had reclaimed two villages south of Bakhmut that would help its troops advance to the eastern city that was devastated and occupied by Russian troops since May.

However, troops sheltering in a bunker near Bakhmut this week said they were still heavily dependent on Soviet-era Grad double rocket launchers, dreaming of receiving a more sophisticated US-made HIMARS rocket launcher.

"Everything will be brighter, more interesting if we have HIMARS," said a soldier, who only named his name Denys.

"Or at least one of the Czech-made Vampire (rocket launches)," the soldier continued.

It is known that Western countries have given Ukraine billions of dollars worth of weapons since the Russian invasion nearly 19 months ago. Several Ukrainian soldiers have deployed Vampire and HIMARS to the battlefield.

But Denys is in line with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met global leaders at the UN General Assembly this week, saying Ukraine needed more weapons to expel Russian troops.

"We have to win. And burn Moscow," Denys said.

"We need more weapons, more. Good weapons, more accurate weapons," he hoped.

Meanwhile, soldiers speaking to Reuters near the front lines said there was now more optimism than at the start of the war.

"The worst and most terrifying time was when we thought they would come here, to our defense," said a soldier named Ivan.

So far, the nearly four-month retaliatory attacks have drawn criticism from some Western officials for being considered too slow, as Ukrainian forces face large minefields and trenches.

However, Ukrainian soldiers expressed confidence that they were increasing, especially after the re-arrest of Andriivka and Klishchiivka villages about eight kilometers south of Bakhmut.

Separately, Russia, which has yet to recognize the loss of Andriivka and Klishchiivka, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to take over other cities in Ukraine. The re-arrest of the city will be seen in Ukraine as an important symbolic victory.

"Two days after Klishchiivka's release, things became calmer," said a commander who named his name Vladyslav.

"It's possible that they (Russian troops) have changed their position. Or maybe they are building a new position. But oh my goodness, for two weeks, two months, there was no calm. It didn't happen," he continued.

He added that Russian planes "made life difficult" while drone attacks "are more visible lately."