Russian soldiers moved closer to seizing the crucial eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk on Wednesday, but Kyiv’s chances of stopping the invasion were strengthened by a US commitment of more modern rocket launchers to aid their defense.

According to Lugansk area governor Sergiy Gaiday, the Russians had gained control of 70% of the important industrial hub, with Ukrainian soldiers retiring to defined locations.

Ukraine managed to prevent Russia from taking Kyiv during its February 24 assault, but the fight in the east has been costly, with President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming that 60 to 100 soldiers died day after day.

“If in two or three days, the Russians take control of Severodonetsk, they will install artillery and mortars and will bombard more intensely Lysychansk,” he warned on Telegram, referring to the Ukrainian-held city across the river.
“The situation in the east is very difficult,” Zelensky informed Newsmax in the United States.

Severodonetsk has become a target of heavy Russian weaponry, with just Lysychansk left as a pocket of resistance in the eastern Lugansk area. Ukraine’s defense ministry spokeswoman, Oleksander Motuzianyk, claimed battle was taking place in the streets of Severodonetsk and that Russians had entered the city center.

The Himars multiple launch rocket system, or MLRS, is a transportable device that can launch numerous precision-guided missiles up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) distant at the same time. They’re part of a $700 million package that includes air-surveillance radar, additional Javelin short-range anti-tank rockets, artillery ammo, helicopters, vehicles, and spare parts, among other things.

President Joe Biden acknowledged that longer-range weaponry were on the way, providing a boost to the outgunned Ukrainian force.