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Transcript/ScriptPLAYBOOK SLUG ((US Howitzers for Ukraine))
HEADLINE: US Howitzers Help Ukraine Counter Russia’s Aggression
TEASER: Ukrainian forces fire M777s and M119s on the front lines in the Donetsk region
PUBLISHED AT: 04/13/2023 at 11am
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Donetsk Region, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Pavel Suhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Pavel Suhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Holly Franko
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:00
VID APPROVED BY: KE
EDITOR NOTES: [[Ukrainian military does NOT provide last names of its soldiers during war, especially those on front lines with an exceptions of high ranking officials.]]
[[Pronounced "M-triple-seven" and "M-one-nineteen"]]
((INTRO))
[[Highly accurate and maneuverable U.S. howitzers have been helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine fight off Russia’s aggression since July 2022. These days, the weapons are used mostly in the Bakhmut district in the Donetsk region. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story.]]
((NATS)) ((Man shouting out coordinates))
((NARRATION))
A soldier announces coordinates of the next target.
((NATS)) ((Attention! Fire!))
((NARRATION))
On the battlefield – a U.S. M777 howitzer.
((Courtesy: Armed Forces of Ukraine))
Such battles can last for hours, explains the senior officer of the battery.
((End Courtesy))
((Call Sign 'Musician,' Armed Forces of Ukraine)) ((UKR))
“The enemy can fire 40 to 50 missiles back at us … we experienced it once. We were shelled for 3 hours! And in 3 hours, trust me, even a Soviet system can hit the target.”
((NARRATION))
In 2014, this fighter, who goes by the call sign "Musician," participated in the joint forces' operation against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of Ukraine. After two years there, he returned to civilian life, his job as a sales agent in Ternopil, and his band.
((NATS))
((Band music; Mandatory Courtesy: LaJam Cover Band + YouTube Logo))
((NARRATION))
After a few years of calm, Russia invaded Ukraine, and he had to leave his peaceful life again. On February 26th, 2022, he volunteered for the front lines in the Donetsk region. Here, he learned how to use the M777 howitzer.
((Call Sign 'Musician,' Armed Forces of Ukraine)) ((UKR))
“You need less than a minute to make a shot!”
((NARRATION))
On the front lines, the M777 howitzers significantly strengthened the position of Ukrainian defenders, says Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesman for Ukraine's eastern group of forces.
((Col. Serhiy Cherevaty, Armed Forces of Ukraine Eastern Group)) ((UKR))
“The more accurate and powerful your shots at the enemy are, the more chances you have to win the battle and the war.
((NARRATION))
Ukrainian fighters also learned how to use the American M119 light howitzer.
((NATS)) ((A shot))
((NARRATION))
A fighter who goes by the call sign “Pearlyna” commands this artillery battery brigade. He is a professional artilleryman from the Kharkiv region and has studied at the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Ground Forces Academy.
Pearlyna has been fighting since 2014. Since the start of Russia’s invasion, he has helped liberate the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions and now fights in the Bakhmut district.
((Call Sign 'Pearlyna,' Armed Forces of Ukraine)) ((UKR))
“Since 2014, we gained some skills in the military. Our country can show the Russian Federation its strength!”
((NARRATION))
Pearlyna says his fighters are in constant combat readiness to cover the back of Ukrainian infantry and shoot at the enemy. And there’s nothing better for that than M119 and M777 howitzers.
((Anna Kosstutschenko, VOA news, Donetsk region, Ukraine))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Donetsk Region, Ukraine
BylineAnna Kosstutschenko
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English