Ukraine hits Russian troops in Donetsk with ‘massive' strikes using British M777 Howitzers

© Getty Donetsk M777 Howitzers

British firepower is changing the course of the war in the east of Ukraine, having a major impact on Russian forces, reports have indicated. Dramatic clips showed Ukrainian troops making full use of the M777 Howitzers - developed by the UK - with one soldier describing it as "extremely precise".

Ukrainian forces recently reclaimed Kherson, the key city in the south of the country - and are using the M777 in a bit to similarly reclaim land in Donetsk.

Asked why the weapon was changing the course of the conflict, Serhiy, a Ukrainian soldier interviewed by US-backed Radio Free Europe, was unequivocal in his agreement, explaining the key lay in the weapon's accuracy.

He explained: "People who work with this artillery are very effective. That's why we work smoothly - everything is as it should be.

"It's definitely very powerful. It's more precise, as we know from using it. The Soviet-era Msta-B doesn't even come close to this model.

"Strikes on personnel have been the most massive thing. One time we hit 300 men. We hit them with a string of nine shells.

"We hit only specific targets - we don't fire at nothing."