WASHINGTON: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby announced today that more than half of the US howitzers have arrived in Ukraine, and the first batch of Ukrainian soldiers has been trained to deploy the long-ranged artillery system.

"Munitions, as well as weapon systems, continue to flow into Ukraine... Those troops will return to Ukraine and instruct their fellow soldiers when those batteries stand up," Kirby said at a press conference on Wednesday. He further said that the material being provided to Ukraine is "having an effect on the battlefield" and is changing the fighting lines in the eastern Donbas region, which is the focus of Russia's big effort in Ukraine.

Kirby, who recently came from a trip to Europe with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, described the Donbas conflict as "dynamic and kinetic." Officials from Ukraine told Austin that the equipment, which came from 40 different countries, "allows Ukrainian soldiers to hold their own against the Russian assault," said the Press Secretary.

"In Europe, Austin stated that the US and partner nations will continue to provide the Ukrainians with the weaponry and resources they require." Kirby went on to say that US authorities were in close communication with Ukraine's military to ensure that the right mix of weapons and ammunition arrived on schedule. "We know they're firing rounds of various types and calibres on a daily basis... "And we're doing everything we can to keep them fight," he said.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden announced an additional USD 800 million in security aid to Ukraine this week, which includes heavy artillery weaponry, hundreds of Howitzers, 144,000 rounds of ammo for the Howitzers, and more tactical drones.

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