So now: The USA could apparently soon supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with a longer range. Washington had previously resisted this for fear that targets in Russia could be attacked.
According to consistent US media reports, Washington will soon provide Kiev with ATACMS missiles. The US government will soon deliver the weapons system requested by Kiev to defend itself in Russia’s war of aggression, the Washington Post and US broadcaster NBC News reported, citing several sources familiar with the matter.
Can be equipped with cluster munitions
According to the Washington Post, it is an ATACMS variant that can be equipped with cluster munitions. NBC News reported that US President Joe Biden promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the prospect of providing “a small number” of ATACMS during his visit to Washington on Thursday.
Initially it was officially said that ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers were not included in promised new weapons deliveries.
Concern about attacks on targets in Russia
Ukraine has been demanding ATACMS missiles from Lockheed Martin for a long time. They are fired from the ground at targets on the ground and hit very precisely. Newer models can be steered, older ones cannot. Because of their range, they are often compared to the German “Taurus” marching bodies, which Kiev also demands. These are suitable for destroying bunkers and protected command posts up to 500 kilometers away.
With both weapon systems there is concern that targets in Russia could also be attacked. However, Kiev rejects this as unfounded. In addition to ATACMS and “Taurus”, the weapons with ranges of hundreds of kilometers also include the cruise missiles “Storm Shadow” and “Scalp”, which Kiev has already received from Great Britain and France.