ATACMS: American long-range missiles that Ukraine can now use against Russian territory, what they are and how much they could change the war
image Source, getty images
- Author, gone wok
- Author title, bbcnews
United States officials report that President Biden has approved Ukraine using long-range missiles supplied by Washington to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Washington had previously refused to permit such strikes with US-made ATACMS missiles for fear of provoking war.
The major policy shift comes two months before President Joe Biden hands power to Donald Trump, whose election has raised fears about future US support for Kiev.
Now why would America allow the use of its missiles inside Russia?
Ukraine has been using ATACMS missiles for more than a year Against Russian targets in the occupied territories in Ukraine.
However, the US has so far never allowed Kiev to use ATACMS inside Russia.
Ukraine argued that not being able to use such weapons inside Russia was like being forced to fight with one hand tied behind its back.
There is news of change in policy In response to the recent arrival of North Korean troops in support of Russia in the Kursk border areaWhich Ukraine has occupied since August.
Additionally, Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House is raising questions about future US support for Ukraine, and it appears President Biden is eager to do everything you can To help with less time left in the office.
It is anticipated that strengthening Ukraine’s hand militarily could give Ukraine greater leverage in any future peace agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet confirmed the measure. But on Sunday he declared that “attacks are not carried out with words… the missiles will speak for themselves.”
image Source, getty images
What are ATACMS?
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATCMS) ballistic missiles manufactured by Lockheed Martin are Designed to hit targets far beyond the front linesSuch as ammunition depots, headquarters and military concentrations.
They use a solid fuel propellant, their length is about 4 meters and their diameter is 60.96 centimeters.
they fly at supersonic speedand are capable of reaching locations up to 300 km away, with a warhead that carries 227 kg of explosive or cluster munition that opens on target and disperses hundreds of mini-bombs over a wide area.
They can be fired from multiple launch rocket platforms (MLRS) or the M142 High Mobility Artillery Missile System, better known as HIMARS.
Armies often use MLRS systems To launch a devastating torrent of artillery. And using the same platform to launch ATACMS simplifies delivery of supplies to the battlefield.
What effect will missiles have on the battlefield?
Ukraine will now be able to attack targets inside Russia, initially most likely around the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces control more than 1,000 square kilometers of territory.
Ukrainian and US officials estimate Counter-offensive by Russian and North Korean troops to reclaim territory in Kursk,
Ukraine would be able to use ATACMS to defend itself against attack, directing them against Russian positions, including military bases, infrastructure and ammunition depots.
Missile supplies would probably not be enough to turn the tide of the war. Russia has already transferred its military equipmentLike jets, forward in their field in anticipation of that measure.
However, moving equipment too far back from the front could make things difficult for Russian troops, limiting supplies and increasing the time to arrival of air support.
image Source, getty images
The weapons could give Ukraine some leverage at a time when Russian troops have made gains in the east of the country and morale is low.
“I don’t think it’s conclusive,” a Western diplomat in Kiev told the BBC, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
“However, this is a long-awaited symbolic decision to become more involved and demonstrate military support for Ukraine.”
“This could increase the cost to Russia of waging war.”
There are also questions about How much ammunition will be providedsaid Evelyn Farkas, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense in Barack Obama’s administration.
“Of course, the question is when do they have missiles? “We’ve heard that the Pentagon has warned that there are not enough of these missiles to attack Ukraine.”
farkas added this ATACMS may have “positive psychological effects” In Ukraine if they are used to attack targets such as the Kerch bridge, which connects Crimea to Russia.
Washington’s authorization would also have an impact: potentially making it possible for Britain and France to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Storm Shadow are Franco-British long-range cruise missiles with capabilities similar to US ATACMS.
Could war escalate?
For months, the Biden administration had refused to authorize Ukraine to attack Russia with long-range missiles, because fear of escalating dispute,
Vladimir Putin has warned against using Western weapons to attack Russia, hinting that Moscow would interpret this to mean “direct involvement” of NATO countries in the war in Ukraine.
“This will drastically change the very essence, the nature, of the conflict,” Putin announced in September. “This would mean that NATO countries, the US and European states, are fighting against Russia.”
image Source, getty images
Russia has already issued its own “red lines”Some, including the supply of modern battle tanks and fighter aircraft to Ukraine, have been passed between Russia and NATO without provoking outright war.
Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volcker said: “By limiting the scope of US weapons use in Ukraine, the US was inappropriately imposing unilateral sanctions on Ukraine’s self-defense.”
He said the decision to limit the use of ATACMS was “completely arbitrary and taken out of fear of ‘provoking’ Russia.”
“However, it is a mistake to publicly disclose such a change, as it would give Russia advance warning of potential Ukrainian attacks.”
What will be Donald Trump’s reaction?
the solution comes Just two months before Donald Trump returns to the White House,
The newly elected president has already said that he intends to quickly end the war in Ukraine, without explaining how he plans to do so, and that he may cancel the use of missiles after taking power.
Trump has not yet said whether he will continue the measure, but some of his close aides have already criticized it.
image Source, getty images
His son, Donald Trump Jr., wrote on social media: “It seems the military-industrial complex wants to make sure they start World War III before my father has a chance to make peace and save lives.”
Several top Trump officials, such as Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, say The US should not provide any more military aid to Ukraine,
But others within the incoming Trump administration have a different opinion. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz has argued that the US could accelerate arms deliveries to Ukraine. force russia to negotiate,
It is unclear what direction the president-elect will take. But many in Ukraine fear this would stop deliveries of weapons, including ATACMS.
“We are worried. We hope (Trump) will not reverse the decision,” Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko told the BBC.
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