Ukrainian troops finish training on 'formidable' AS90 self-propelled artillery that can wipe out Russian targets from 18 miles away, UK says

• Earlier this year, the British government promised to send Ukraine AS90 self-propelled howitzers.
• On Sunday, its Ministry of Defence said it trained Ukrainian soldiers on the howitzers.

Ukrainian troops have trained on the "formidable" AS90 self-propelled 155 mm howitzers that can wipe out Russian targets from 18 miles away, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) tweeted in an intelligence update on Sunday.

After completing their seven-week training course, Ukrainian artillery recruits will be sent back home, according to the MoD's update and Forces News.

"The program is part of the UK's enduring commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia," the MoD added. The video accompanying the update shows artillery crews standing underneath the Ukrainian flag as they practice firing the weapon on a field.

The AS90 is a self-propelled 155 mm artillery gun that was first produced in the late 1980s and is still in service with the British Army today.

The gun has a 155 mm 39 caliber barrel that is capable of firing up to six rounds per minute with an effective range of around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).

It is operated by a crew of six people including the driver and can fire a variety of different types of shells, including high explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds, Forces News reported.

The weapon is on the back of a car that is highly mobile and can keep up with armored units on the battlefield.

In May, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Britain's support for his country will "never waver."

"From providing Challenger tanks to long-range missiles and pilot training, the UK's support for Ukraine's defence will never waver," Sunak said, according to ITV News.

More than 1,000 UK service personnel have been involved in running the program as part of the British government's support for Ukraine in the war, Forces News reported. The UK also sent Challenge 2 tanks to Ukraine earlier this year.