HIMARS vs. ‘GOT’ Dragons by Stavridis: ‘Flame Throw’ Russians

Former NATO commander-in-chief James Stavridis on Sunday compared the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) weapons used by Ukraine in the war against Russia with kites from the United States game of Thrones (HAVE) TV series.

His comments came during an interview on NBC Meet the pressafter presenter Chuck Todd asked him what the Ukrainian military needs to achieve in the coming months.

“Winter is coming and I’m not just doing this to promote tonight’s next episode house of the dragon‘ Todd said, referring to that HAVE prequel series that premiered on HBO this month. “What must the Ukrainian military do before winter sets in?”

“Well if they could get a kite and call Dracarys and throw flames at the Russians that would be a big help. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Stavridis said, referring to an order that features characters HAVE Use when you want dragons to breathe fire.

“What they need to achieve is exactly what is happening. Take these excellent weapons that we give them, not really dragons, but HIMARS, long-range cruise missiles capable of reaching and touching the Black Sea Fleet,” he continued. “I think the Ukrainian offensive will start in earnest after Labor Day, Chuck. Aware that the world is waking up after Labor Day, they want to show they have the ability to go on the offensive. Find that next.”

news week has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.

Ukrainian officials have touted the effectiveness of HIMARS, which the United States has made available to the country in recent months.

Bohdan Dmytruk, a commander of Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade, said last month The Washington Post that deploying the weapon system at a Russian ammunition depot reduced shelling tenfold.

“We now have about one man who suffers a concussion every week. Before the HIMARS hit, it was about two to three a day because of the intensity of the shelling,” he said.

Also last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi welcomed a US aid package that provided the nation’s military with four additional HIMARS to fight against Moscow.

“Crucially, powerful weapons will save the lives of our soldiers and accelerate the liberation of our country from the Russian aggressor. I appreciate the strategic friendship between our nations. Together to victory!” Zelensky tweeted.

Meanwhile, a Russian military analyst said in July that HIMARS will pose a “big problem” for the Russian army. Michael Kofman, who directs the Russia Studies program at Virginia-based think tank CNA, told Radio Free Europe that the weapons systems “would help Ukraine achieve some degree of parity with Russian artillery.”