U.S. sending Kyiv four rocket systems to extend Ukraine's artillery reach

Ukrainian service members ride on top of a military vehicle

The United States will initially provide Ukraine with four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to extend Kyiv's reach in its war against invading Russian forces, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, adding about three weeks of training would be needed.

Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy advisor, said the United States received assurances from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and others throughout his government that these new systems would not be fired into Russian territory.

But he pushed back at Russia's warnings against provision of such precision weaponry to Ukraine, saying Moscow did not have a veto over Western assistance to Ukraine to defend its own territory.

Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart Editing by Chris Reese

REUTERS